Cleaning guitar frets

[Drkorey]

I've gotten some guitars out of storage and some of the frets are "grimey" I guess in some areas - dull and not shined like other parts. Whats the best way to clean them - something like fine steel wool?

 

[Neeklaus]

i've heard steel wool is good for the fretboard...probably worth a try.

 

[MrDan666]

i've heard steel wool is good for the fretboard...probably worth a try.

+1!

I use 0000 steel wool to rub down the actual fretwire, it gives it a great shine and feel. I also use it for cleaning the actual fretboard.

I rub the fretboard lengthways(opposit direction to the fretwire) and it cleans off the grime and sweat.

Once it is done, i wipe off any wire wool thats left on the fret board, I make sure the board is clean and then apply a healthy dose of lemon oil. usually it drinks it up in no time and then i just give the board a nice buff with a soft cloth!

All ready to play and feels smooth as hell!!

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I use a toothbrush, and lemon oil.

Had a friend who fucked up his fretboard with steel wool, so go easy on it, and make sure it's of the right grade.

 

[Drkorey]

I'll give the 0 steel wool a shot for the actual fretwire. Thanks

 

[MrDan666]

I use a toothbrush, and lemon oil.

Had a friend who fucked up his fretboard with steel wool, so go easy on it, and make sure it's of the right grade.

I assumed he was rubbing parallel with the fretwire, that can fuck up the board bigtime! always rub it the opposite way for cleaning it!

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I assumed he was rubbing parallel with the fretwire, that can fuck up the board bigtime! always rub it the opposite way for cleaning it!

I don't know what he was doing, so my advice is just be careful.

 

[MrDan666]

I don't know what he was doing, so my advice is just be careful.

Yup! Some guys iv known in the past had some fucking wacky ideas for cleaning the fretboard(dremel with a sanding tool), and they ended up ruining the guitar!

 

[Balu65]

If I understand the question well, it was not the fretboard, but cleaning the frets. After leveling and shaping the frets I use steelwool 00 and then 000. To protect the board you can use some simple protection (wich you can get easliy at Stewart MacDonald) and in addition you can tape the board.
By the way for the board itself I only use fretboard-oil (a mix of several oils as lemon-oil,...) and an cloth.

 

[lamppost]

+1!

I use 0000 steel wool to rub down the actual fretwire, it gives it a great shine and feel. I also use it for cleaning the actual fretboard.

I rub the fretboard lengthways(opposit direction to the fretwire) and it cleans off the grime and sweat.

Once it is done, i wipe off any wire wool thats left on the fret board, I make sure the board is clean and then apply a healthy dose of lemon oil. usually it drinks it up in no time and then i just give the board a nice buff with a soft cloth!

All ready to play and feels smooth as hell!!

Thats how I clean my guitars too. Works and feels great!

 

[k4df4l]

I have used both 4x steel and the dremel with metal polishing compound and the polishing wheel..gotta say that the dremel is my pref. Do my other fret prep then finish 'em off with the dremel & polish. I tape off the board & mask the body..light with the polish paste and it doesn't run into the board. It makes a bloody mess but the frets are silky smooth with a mirror finish.

btw if you use the steel, tape the pups and other cavs so they don't get stray wool in them.