Fret Cleanup?

[SixStringSlinger]

I've noticed my frets are starting to get kinda cruddy, especially the higher ones. I figure maybe this is at least part of the reason why my high notes don't ring out and sustain as much as lower ones. Anyway, what do you all recommend for cleaning up my frets? I don't want to do anything drastic, just cleanup up some of the junk and get a little shine back. Also, I've heard about rosewood 'boards liking lemon oil, or something? What's the benefit in that? As always, thanks.

[hopdybob]

tape of the fretboard ore buy a

than use 4 x 0 steelwol
to polish the frets.

if your problem is a dirty fretboard the steelwol with some nafta wil work fine to

[nicktele5150]

i use masking tape and a dremel. tape off the fretboard, use dremel's wire brush, go over the fret wire, and then go back over it with a polishing wheel and polishind compound. For the fretboard its self i use steel wool and murphys oil soap or whatever its called(i didnt have any lin seed oil at my house) it did a pretty good job too

[BritishBluesBoy]

You don't need any of that stuff. A soft cloth and a bit of elbow grease will do it. Use Lemon oil if it is REALLY cruddy, but I've found that it can dry out a rosewood board. Just wipe it down after each time you play it and that should be enough...

[RussBert]

Please keep the Dremel away from the guitar...

I use blue painter's masking tape, and a little simi-chrome on a rag. Makes 'em shine like diamonds!

[rhinocaster]

This is a great product.

http://www.gorgomyte.com/

Once or twice a year and you're set. Perfect finish on your frets and it feeds the fingerboard.

Good stuff.

[SixStringSlinger]

Thanks for the replies. I've heard of testee-wool route, but I figured that was for real heavy-duty crud. My thing is just a bit of nastiness that I tihnk isn't letting the strings make full contact wth the metal of the frets. I think for now I'll try the spray-and-cloth method.

And what I wanted to know about lemon oil was what's supposed to be beneficia about it. I thk I can clean the freatboard fine with just a cloth, but I've heard of lemon oil being "good" for rosewood boards, and I was curious as to why.

Thanks again.

P.S. While I respect your bravery and apparet skill, like hell a Dremel's getting anywhere near my guitar

[nicktele5150]

Originally Posted by SixStringSlinger

While I respect your bravery and apparet skill, like hell a Dremel's getting anywhere near my guitar

yea i was alittle scared to do it to my guitars so i did it on a squier bullet to start off set it on a low speed and use a flex shaft attachment and its easy ive never tried any other method to clean frets so i dont know how they work

[RussBert]

Originally Posted by nicktele5150

yea i was alittle scared to do it to my guitars so i did it on a squier bullet to start off set it on a low speed and use a flex shaft attachment and its easy ive never tried any other method to clean frets so i dont know how they work

A rag, a finger and some polishing compound will do a superior job.

Dremels have their place, but not for buffing frets

[mellecaster]

Want Quick & Easy ?....Find an Auto Parts Store that sells to Body Shops...pick up some 3M sanding sponges in Ultra fine & Micro fine....a little Lemon Oil from the Grocery store...and you're good to go.....YMMV

[rhinocaster]

Maybe I'm missing something here. If you have a product that isn't sanding the frets yet puts a mirror finish on them, feeds the fingerboard at the same time and is simple to use, why would you use anything else?

Is Gorgomyte that rare?

Seriously, the stuff is great.

[Singin' Dave]

Originally Posted by rhinocaster

This is a great product.

http://www.gorgomyte.com/

Once or twice a year and you're set. Perfect finish on your frets and it feeds the fingerboard.

Good stuff.

Just a quick bump of this thread and this quote. I read this thread about a week or so ago when I was wondering how best to polish some VERY dirty and even slightly corroded frets on a '74 Guild S-100c I have. Based on this rhinocaster's recommendation and some online research, I bought a package of Gorgomyte.

In a word AWESOME!!! This amazing product polished these nasty frets to literally a mirror shine, fed a bit of oil to my fretboard and the guitar looks and plays amazingly right now. Could not be easier or more effective.

I'm a HUGE covert to this product over steel wool or ANY abrasive product. I own 20 guitars and they are all getting the treatment!

Thanks rhinocaster!

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by Singin' Dave

Just a quick bump of this thread and this quote. I read this thread about a week or so ago when I was wondering how best to polish some VERY dirty and even slightly corroded frets on a '74 Guild S-100c I have. Based on this rhinocaster's recommendation and some online research, I bought a package of Gorgomyte.

In a word AWESOME!!! This amazing product polished these nasty frets to literally a mirror shine, fed a bit of oil to my fretboard and the guitar looks and plays amazingly right now. Could not be easier or more effective.

I'm a HUGE covert to this product over steel wool or ANY abrasive product. I own 20 guitars and they are all getting the treatment!

Thanks rhinocaster!

I really can't imagine using anything else. We used it on every guitar when I worked in a vintage guitar shop and it's just unbelievable how effective it is.

It's all I use. I'm glad you like it!

[bmerritt811]

A dremel with a buffing wheel, a small bit of simichrome on the fret guarded by a stainless steel fret guard is quick, does a job far superior to what one can do with the tip of one's rag covered finger, and a little common sense with the dremel is all that is needed to make it a perfectly safe operation. Cover the rest of the neck with a towel if it gives you a better feeling of safety. I've done dozens on dozens with no negative effeects and the result is beautiful.
BAM

[HOBBSTER01]

Dremel is fine.
I've done bunches myself.
Only had a problem on the first one I did.
Just be sure to mask properly.

[Dave_Strat]

Be careful with the dremel on a guitar with neck binding. One slip and the buffer wheel creates instantaneous heat that will melt the binding and create a you will be left with a dip in the plastic. A Dremel and a buffer wheel buffs rosewood fingerboards and frets to a smooth high shine. I wouldn't touch a maple finger board with it, though. It will remove the finish.

If you'd rather use a slower, more controllable method, Dollar General sells a set of ultra-fine fingernail polishing pads that look like emery boards, but have foam between two sandpaper like surfaces. They polish frets to a high gloss with no wear and conform to rounded surfaces.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by rhinocaster

Maybe I'm missing something here. If you have a product that isn't sanding the frets yet puts a mirror finish on them, feeds the fingerboard at the same time and is simple to use, why would you use anything else?

Is Gorgomyte that rare?

Seriously, the stuff is great.

Rhino, does the Gorgomyte residue dry fairly dark? I'm always concerned about whitish residue in the rosewood pores.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Dave_Strat

If you'd rather use a slower, more controllable method, Dollar General sells a set of ultra-fine fingernail polishing pads that look like emery boards, but have foam between two sandpaper like surfaces. They polish frets to a high gloss with no wear and conform to rounded surfaces.

Dave, this sounds like a great idea, and maybe I can find other uses as well for nail care tools - hope they're not Chinese, though.

[rhinocaster]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Rhino, does the Gorgomyte residue dry fairly dark? I'm always concerned about whitish residue in the rosewood pores.

Thanks.

There's no residue on the fingerboard other than a bit of darkening from whatever they include to feed the wood. There isn't anything like dried metal polish at all.