Darryl Hattenhauer
Venerated Member
What do you guys think of Fast Fret? Am I wasting my money? My time? My guitars?
Fast Fret
- Thread starter Darryl Hattenhauer
- Start date
I use it from time to time, its a good fretboard cleaner and conditioner as well, a small container of it lasts forever 
I rub it into all the fret wood, then I go over it with the little cloth and rub it in even more, then a q-tip will work well to clean right next to the fret wire. Best to do this a while before playing, allow the stuff to soak into the wood. Rosewood and ebony seem to love this stuff.
I rub it into all the fret wood, then I go over it with the little cloth and rub it in even more, then a q-tip will work well to clean right next to the fret wire. Best to do this a while before playing, allow the stuff to soak into the wood. Rosewood and ebony seem to love this stuff.
john_kidder
Senior Member
I often avoid products branded and marked up specially for guitars, but maybe in this case I'm wrong. I use a standard furniture type Lemon Oil and Q-tips for the fretboard and the bridge - seems to do the same job for the ebony/rosewood. Has anyone done a comparison, or have other advice?
Thanks
Thanks
West R Lee
Venerated Member
I've never seen a polish made specifically for guitars that I like. It seems like I have pure hell trying to buff all of them out. I know it's a cardinal rule to NOT use standard furniture polish and have always heard bad things about it, but I do occasionally use Pledge on mine and have never had any problem with the finish.
Like John, I just use plain old lemon oil on my fretboards, let it soak in very well, and wipe it down afterwards. It sure makes that ebony look dark and rich.
West
Like John, I just use plain old lemon oil on my fretboards, let it soak in very well, and wipe it down afterwards. It sure makes that ebony look dark and rich.
West
When I bought my D-50 (ebay auction by a dealer), there was a monor issue as it was advertised as having a Fishman - but it didn't. I got a great deal on a great guitar, and the salesperson who handled ebay was sort of caught in the middle as the listing was his error and his boss wouldn't lower the price. Not wanting to get anyone in trouble, I asked him if perhaps he can send me some strings, etc. - so he shipped me a "goody box" so that everyone would be happy (and I sure was). Included in the box was a bottle of Martin guitar polish (works very well - basically high quality furniture polish) and a bottle of Gerlitz Guitar Honey fretboard conditioner.
The Honey is great stuff - a bottle lasts a long time, but when it's empty I would buy another one.
The Honey is great stuff - a bottle lasts a long time, but when it's empty I would buy another one.
I have been using this bottle of Martin Guitar polish since I think 1977. I bought a new D28 & they threw in the polish. I sold the D28, something to do with a daughter's sophomore year tuition, and kept the polish. Very mild stuff, probably edible. Cleans up greasy, sweaty handprints & spots nicely.
I used the woodworkers finishing wax to clean up the bodies on all three of my Guilds when they first arrived. It has a much harsher solvent & cuts caked on grime. Probably a lot harder on the finish as well.
I suspect regular use of the stuff might not be a good thing.
The Danish oil finish and some gentle work with superfine steel wool cleaned up the green gunk & caked on finger grime on the fretboards. I finished off the fretboard with the satin finishing wax. Left a nice slick surface & sealed up the grain pretty well.
No science involved in any of this, Just products I have been using for years & usually have in the paint locker.
I'm guessing the stuff in the specialty "Guitar" finish products isn't much different. I may invest in some fretboard oil, a smaller, guitar case size container would be convenient.
[img:338:450]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid210/pe47e5f249ad68a576d701ba8e50be891/eddb31e4.jpg[/img][img:450:338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid210/p28506369bf1fe1e47f91a27be81031f9/eddb3137.jpg[/img]
I used the woodworkers finishing wax to clean up the bodies on all three of my Guilds when they first arrived. It has a much harsher solvent & cuts caked on grime. Probably a lot harder on the finish as well.
I suspect regular use of the stuff might not be a good thing.
The Danish oil finish and some gentle work with superfine steel wool cleaned up the green gunk & caked on finger grime on the fretboards. I finished off the fretboard with the satin finishing wax. Left a nice slick surface & sealed up the grain pretty well.
No science involved in any of this, Just products I have been using for years & usually have in the paint locker.
I'm guessing the stuff in the specialty "Guitar" finish products isn't much different. I may invest in some fretboard oil, a smaller, guitar case size container would be convenient.
[img:338:450]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid210/pe47e5f249ad68a576d701ba8e50be891/eddb31e4.jpg[/img][img:450:338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid210/p28506369bf1fe1e47f91a27be81031f9/eddb3137.jpg[/img]
I am glad to see I am not the only one still holding on to a bottle of Martin Polish!!
Anybody else have a can of "Finger Ease" laying around too?
Anybody else have a can of "Finger Ease" laying around too?
jeez louise, how often do you guys polish your poor guitars? I've gone through about 20 bottles of that Martin stuff just on my D-25 over the last 30 years. I can't believe you've had the same bottle since '77 :lol:
Actually, Martin changed the formula and I think the new stuff bites, so I changed to Dunlop, that's working real well.
Actually, Martin changed the formula and I think the new stuff bites, so I changed to Dunlop, that's working real well.
West R Lee
Venerated Member
The polish that I had such a tough time buffing out was Martin polish, not like the stuff Jeff has pictured though. I've got a jar of Martin polish paste that puts that dingy look (like car polish on a car) all over the thing and you have got to buff very hard, for a long time to get it out. I won't use it.
Jeff, it looks like that stuff you've got there sprays on?
West
Jeff, it looks like that stuff you've got there sprays on?
West
West - Mine's a spray bottle too - it's similar to Jeff's spray bottle, but different lable design and sprayer. I'll take a picture of the bottle if anyone is interested.
Paste wax is great for hardwood floors - not guitars (or furniture for that matter). I didn't know Martin made a paste-base product.
Paste wax is great for hardwood floors - not guitars (or furniture for that matter). I didn't know Martin made a paste-base product.
Dred,
Up untill lately I only had 1 guitar, the old classic. The finish was so checked & pick damaged I didn't want to soak the bare wood so I used polish sparingly.
West a couple squirts strategically placed is all you need. I never had a fancy inlaid high end like your DV 72, but my Taylor is brand spanking new not a mark on it & the Martin polish cleans it up like new. No buffing issue. I shake the jeebers out of it before I use it.
Up untill lately I only had 1 guitar, the old classic. The finish was so checked & pick damaged I didn't want to soak the bare wood so I used polish sparingly.
West a couple squirts strategically placed is all you need. I never had a fancy inlaid high end like your DV 72, but my Taylor is brand spanking new not a mark on it & the Martin polish cleans it up like new. No buffing issue. I shake the jeebers out of it before I use it.
man, I wish I had a -72. In fact there was a guy in town with one who said he might consider trading it for my F-512, then I lost track of him.
I just always kept my polish and a cloth in my case and I'd give the old D-25 a light spray and wipedown every time I put it away. The mahogany has always been so rich looking and its got some real depth when its shiny. And she's in great shape for a 30 year old. Besides, my forearm always wants to leave a spot on the top where it rests, so I just always wipe 'em down when I put 'em away.
We used Dydee diapers for all 5 of our kids, boy did those brand new ones make nice guitar polishing cloths! I still have some 8)
I just always kept my polish and a cloth in my case and I'd give the old D-25 a light spray and wipedown every time I put it away. The mahogany has always been so rich looking and its got some real depth when its shiny. And she's in great shape for a 30 year old. Besides, my forearm always wants to leave a spot on the top where it rests, so I just always wipe 'em down when I put 'em away.
We used Dydee diapers for all 5 of our kids, boy did those brand new ones make nice guitar polishing cloths! I still have some 8)
Cypress Knee
Member
I am a terrible craftsmen at anything, from building model airplanes to polishing guitars to restore their original beauty. Last year someone gave me a bottle of " #10250 VIOLIN POLISH, 2 liiquid oz bottle, International Violin Co., LTD" and it seems to work wonders. I don't know if there is any long-term negative effect.
CK
CK
West R Lee
Venerated Member
Diapers ha Dred....very resourceful never thought of it. Dred, if I get a chance, I'll try to post some close ups of the 72 for you on "Mug Shots". I feel the same way about a D100 (there happens to be one on Ebay right now) and passed one up recently in mint condition for $2700 . I also have a longing for a nice D55. Thanks, I do love my DV-72.
Jeff, I'll try to find the spray type. Thank you too.
West
. I also have a longing for a nice D55. Thanks, I do love my DV-72.Jeff, I'll try to find the spray type. Thank you too.
West
West,
Dred has used a lot more of the liquid polish than I have & he changed to a Dunlop product. Might want to try it . I have about a half inch left in the bottom of the bottle & when it's gone I'll probably try the Dunlop spray.
Dred has used a lot more of the liquid polish than I have & he changed to a Dunlop product. Might want to try it . I have about a half inch left in the bottom of the bottle & when it's gone I'll probably try the Dunlop spray.