Fretboard cleaning

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maddnotez

maddnotez

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Any tips or tricks?

Was curious about how much oil is good to use?

I have some Dunlop 75 Lemon Oil Fretboard cleaner. I just use a tiny dab on each fret and wipe with a cloth to get rid of any residue.

But I've walked into guitar stores and have seen them cleaning with an obscene amount on the board. Like sopping wet.

Is it ok to use that much and should I?

Also I know not to use oil on Maple but I assume Ebony is ok?
 
I usually condition my rosewood boards by putting lemon oil on it and letting it sit for a little bit and the wiping off the excess. I only do it when they look dry which may be once a year to year and a half.
I have used lemon oil on ebony but its a very tight grained wood like maple so I feel like it doesn't soak in.
 
Don't use a lot... and after letting it dry for 10 minutes, go back and wipe off the excess with an old t-shirt. Too much oil over time can loosen the frets.

It's fine to use on ebony as well... nothing on maple... except naphtha for really nasty boards.
 
Music Nomad f-one oil. Significantly better than the lemon oil I was using previously. Lower acidity apparently so it doesn't dry out the board over time. It revitalized all of my rosewood fretboards and necks, it also cut through the wax build up on some of my necks where lemon oil would bring up the some white waxy build up.
 
Here's my experience. I had a great sounding guitar, but it had been sitting forever according to the seller. I used 0000 steel wool to clean the board(rosewood), and then applied lemon oil, lightly. The tone took a total dive. From then on, I never use lemon oil. Just clean with steel wool and play, the oil on our hands will take care of the board.
 
Fret Doctor is the best conditioner I have used its a a blend of non-oils kinda pricy but a small bottle goes along way one Q-tip dab will easily do a couple of fret boards and they come out nice and dark .
 
ras1988":3grajfce said:
Music Nomad f-one oil. Significantly better than the lemon oil I was using previously. Lower acidity apparently so it doesn't dry out the board over time. It revitalized all of my rosewood fretboards and necks, it also cut through the wax build up on some of my necks where lemon oil would bring up the some white waxy build up.
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: This x1000000! I recently switched over to the Music Nomad stuff and it's fantastic. I've been a long time user of Dunlop Lemon Oil which has done the trick but the F-One REALLY made a difference. No residue, smells great, and brought my fretboards all back to life. Rosewood all got way darker and healthier looking. Highly recommend.

You shouldn't have to drown your board. A little goes a long way. And yes Ebony is OK.
 
I just scrape mine with a pick once every 4 years and spray it with guitar polish and wipe with a paper towel :aww:
 
Deanmachine":fvft1ndl said:
Fret Doctor is the best conditioner I have used its a a blend of non-oils kinda pricy but a small bottle goes along way one Q-tip dab will easily do a couple of fret boards and they come out nice and dark .
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This +1000 on Fret Doctor. I've tried them all, like this one the best.
 
I use naphtha to clean really gunky fret boards. I use linseed oil or lemon oil on my necks once a year or two. I put it on pretty liberally, let it set a couple of minutes and then wipe the excess off with a rag.

Most of my necks don't have a finish on them, so it's important to apply oil to them to protect the necks. Unlike some others above, I use oil on my maple necks due to this.
 
rstites":22222cx2 said:
I use naphtha to clean really gunky fret boards. I use linseed oil or lemon oil on my necks once a year or two. I put it on pretty liberally, let it set a couple of minutes and then wipe the excess off with a rag.

Most of my necks don't have a finish on them, so it's important to apply oil to them to protect the necks. Unlike some others above, I use oil on my maple necks due to this.
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Unless an unfinished neck sits unplayed for a long time, your natural oils on your hand should be all that's needed.
 
Thanks for the tips. I will check out some of the other products.

This one I barely put any on at all. Like just enough to swirl around and remove any funk or residue.

Was kind of paranoid and didn't want to use a lot. Letting something like that soak in wood just seemed strange to me.
 
I use 0000 steel wool to clean the frets and fretboard, then rub some mineral oil in and wipe off. I only do this annually though. I have ebony fretboards BTW.
 
I use the nomad stuff now too... it's mostly made of tree oils. Makes sense seeing as you're putting it on a plank of wood. What I do is clean it with the oil every month or every few string changes whichever hits first. I DO NOT LET THE OIL SOAK. You would only do this on a visibly bone dry looking board. If you do what I do and just use the oil to clean it basically only takes two to three drops is enough and remove the excess after you've went down the board. Puts oils back in and helps to lift dirt but doesn't soften the board with excess oil like soaking would do... all you really want to do is seal the moisture out of the wood and not soak it down or it won't ring like it should. I personally use metal polish for the frets as well, less abrasive and smooth as glass when done.
 
Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert":10sr2a7z said:
I use the nomad stuff now too... it's mostly made of tree oils. Makes sense seeing as you're putting it on a plank of wood. What I do is clean it with the oil every month or every few string changes whichever hits first. I DO NOT LET THE OIL SOAK. You would only do this on a visibly bone dry looking board. If you do what I do and just use the oil to clean it basically only takes two to three drops is enough and remove the excess after you've went down the board. Puts oils back in and helps to lift dirt but doesn't soften the board with excess oil like soaking would do... all you really want to do is seal the moisture out of the wood and not soak it down or it won't ring like it should. I personally use metal polish for the frets as well, less abrasive and smooth as glass when done.
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Tyty,

Gonna look into this for next time and also the steel wool thing but that is scary too.

I can see how it would be nice to use steel wool to get right under the frets where some of that dirt/dust settles but steel wool to the wood? Seems kind of crazy.
 
Depends on the neck and the finish, but I generally use Smith classic wax polish. Don't leave it on your fretboard. Put it on and wipe it off. You only need to do it every now and then. When you change strings, in between applications, use a flat toothpick and a cloth. Nothing more is necessary. If you have a maple neck that gets stained, the Smith wax has lemon oil in it and it cleans nicely. Also, put a bit on the tip of your pickguard, jack, and neck screws to keep the holes in your body from getting threaded.
 
^^0000 grade steel wool is recommended by most mfrs to clean bare maple necks/boards with. It's not that abrasive, and when I've cleaned grungy necks with it it takes some time because it's so light.
 
Dont use a lot. The oil seeps into the frets and ststs there loosening things. Ive seen pulled frets "drain".
 
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