"polishing off" a tru-oil fretboard?

I'm tru-oiling a maple fretboard. I have an idea about how to finish up the back of the neck and headstock (0000 steel wool/1500-grit sanding pad and denim buffing), but how do I finish off the fretboard? I'm using a blade to scrape the fret board flat between coats (instead of steel wool), but that's not going to give me a smooth enough finish by itself, I think.

I'm tru-oiling a maple fretboard. I have an idea about how to finish up the back of the neck and headstock (0000 steel wool/1500-grit sanding pad and denim buffing), but how do I finish off the fretboard? I'm using a blade to scrape the fret board flat between coats (instead of steel wool), but that's not going to give me a smooth enough finish by itself, I think.

I love Tru Oil, but I'll be no help.

I don't think it should be applied to any fretboard...but that's just me.

I love Tru Oil, but I'll be no help.

I don't think it should be applied to any fretboard...but that's just me.

Just out of curiosity, then, if you love tru-oil where do you think it should be applied? Just on necks with rosewood fretboards? On the backs of maple necks with something else (lacquer) on the fretboard? What's not to like about putting it on a fretboard?

It'll make a fine fret board finish. Grab one of those pink Rhombus shaped pencil erasers, and wet sand between the frets.

Just out of curiosity, then, if you love tru-oil where do you think it should be applied? Just on necks with rosewood fretboards? On the backs of maple necks with something else (lacquer) on the fretboard? What's not to like about putting it on a fretboard?

I love it on the back of any neck...fretboard doesn't matter. I also like it on guitar bodies where the grain is really nice. I like that it's reasonably non toxic. I wouldn't use it on a fretboard because there is more of a tendency for the tru oil finish to scratch or scuff up. Besides, on a rosewood neck, putting tru oil on it would prevent you from applying a wood conditioner such as lemon oil. The tru oil would become a barrier. I prefer to let my rosewood breath....:mrgreen:

It'll make a fine fret board finish. Grab one of those pink Rhombus shaped pencil erasers, and wet sand between the frets.

This.

And - very thin coats on the fretboard. Tru Oil really, really likes to accumulate around the frets and this can get downright thick and gunky if you are not careful. As with most finishing patience and attention to detail rules.

After you get a nice film build give it plenty of time to dry/harden and if there is some excess around the frets you can carefully scrap it down using an utility blade.