Fret Cleaning

[WavMixer]

I'm getting ready to strip the Peavey bass down to bare wood on the body and I noticed that the frets are nagastasty. Got some green tarnish and I want to get them looking like new again. My thought was to mask off the wood fret board leaving the frets exposed and use some very fine steel wool to shine them up. Anyone got a better idea?

 

[Thatbastarddon]

I'm getting ready to strip the Peavey bass down to bare wood on the body and I noticed that the frets are nagastasty. Got some green tarnish and I want to get them looking like new again. My thought was to mask off the wood fret board leaving the frets exposed and use some very fine steel wool to shine them up. Anyone got a better idea?

Other than following up with some metal polishing compound....nope.
Can’t wait to see it when you’re done!

 

[flatrockmobile]

After a good cleaning with lighter fluid and a toothbrush, give them a good rub down with this stuff then buff with a soft cotton cloth

 

[gasket]

Forget the steel wool.
Use this and finish of with the same, only keep using the same pad without any more polish added.

 

[RVA]

After a good cleaning with lighter fluid and a toothbrush, give them a good rub down with this stuff then buff with a soft cotton cloth

Forget the steel wool.
Use this and finish of with the same, only keep using the same pad without any more polish added.

View attachment 10345

I bought these products on the recommendations of you fellows. I used them on pickup covers and stainless steel appliances tonight. They are both amazing and it is worth having both of them. Thank you flatrock and gasket!

 

[Chubbles]

I get most of that kind of stuff at my local auto supply store. Thanks for the tips.

 

[jtcnj]

My used Epi SG Jr had tarnished frets when I got it.
I used fret protectors and some worn 800.
I dont value highly / finely polished frets and usually only go to 400 after a fret level job, 800 if I'm feeling energetic.

Whenever any metal abrasive is involved I suggest you mask off your pickups as well.
Metal shavings pulled in by the magnets mingling with the coil windings will be highly mischievous.

 

[WavMixer]

Forget the steel wool.
Use this and finish of with the same, only keep using the same pad without any more polish added.

View attachment 10345

Ahhhh... Been using mothers for years but never thought to use it on my frets

 

[Col Mustard]

Once you've got the grossest of the tarnish and crap off your frets, here's another
product that's great for maintenance: Gorgomyte

Gorgomyte Fretboard Conditioning Cloth | stewmac.com

I use this stuff maybe once a year... some touring pros use it after every show (or they get their
guitar tech guys to do it while they're getting... ~( :^P ...)

I like it. One square of the cloth seems to last for several guitars. Sometimes I'll break out the gorgomyte
when I'm having "make and mend Sunday" at home. Strip three of my beauties down, clean them,
check all their lovely necks and all their screws and connections, and then
rub down their fretboards and frets with a gorgomyte cloth just before putting the new strings on.

frets and fretboard end up lovely looking, and play like buttah...

 

[kevinpaul]

When a string change happens I do the very light steel wool on the frets. I have never put polish on them. I have no good reason not to but I just never did that.

 

[Chubbles]

use the 0000 steel wool

 

[kevinpaul]

For the guitar body that wax that is bad for car paint. They want to unload that stuff and it cheap. Why not frets too?

 

[Chubbles]

For my guitars, I only use pure Brazilian Carnuba Wax (Pep Boys).

 

[jtcnj]

Once you've got the grossest of the tarnish and crap off your frets, here's another
product that's great for maintenance: Gorgomyte

Gorgomyte Fretboard Conditioning Cloth | stewmac.com
and play like buttah...

Isn't that the stuff they eat in Australia, like make sandwiches and such?

 

[jtcnj]

For my guitars, I only use pure Brazilian Carnuba Wax (Pep Boys).

I have never waxed my guitars, am I supposed too, does it synergize with the tone woodiness, does it reduce the finger oil smears?
I wash my hands thoroughly before I pick up a guitar (I'm a rabid hand washer anyway).
I still get smears.

Seriously, benefits?
I thought I read the maintenance schedule type deal is just wipe down with a clean soft cloth kind of thing.

 

[Chubbles]

It depends on the guitars finish. It's not generally harmful and it can be removed. That's why i like it. I use it when i get a guitar, and that's usually it.

 

[texred]

I bought these products on the recommendations of you fellows. I used them on pickup covers and stainless steel appliances tonight. They are both amazing and it is worth having both of them. Thank you flatrock and gasket!

As a previous owner of 5 motorcycles and lots of chrome, NeverDull is the sh*t !! Handy for appliances is club soda.

 

[texred]

When a string change happens I do the very light steel wool on the frets. I have never put polish on them. I have no good reason not to but I just never did that.

I understand the feather sanding, but I always heard to mineral oil the fretboard every year or so . . .
BTW, I live in the desert and rosewood fretboards, so far
Help?