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Guitar fretboard...how do you clean yours?

Posted on 8/22/18 at 7:56 am
Posted by NatalbanyTigerFan
On the water somewhere
Member since Oct 2007
8663 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 7:56 am
Just bought an old acoustic guitar that needs a good cleaning.

What products do you use to clean the fretboard and body?
Posted by TheFretShack
Member since Oct 2015
1383 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 9:47 am to
Here's a blog from my shop's website on fingerboard care.

There is a difference between cleaning and polishing a guitar's finish. To clean an old guitar's finish, I use VM&P naphtha, bought in quart-sized cans at home improvement stores. You can use it on painted and finished surfaces. It's also safe on metals and most plastics. If you use it on raw woods, particularly fingerboards, follow the blog instructions.
This post was edited on 8/22/18 at 9:49 am
Posted by NatalbanyTigerFan
On the water somewhere
Member since Oct 2007
8663 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 11:01 am to
So, Naptha from Home Depot to clea and lemon oil to condition from the guitar shop?

Gotcha

Thanks!!
Posted by LSU alum wannabe
Katy, TX
Member since Jan 2004
27872 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 1:23 pm to
Damn it man. You’re supposed to let us argue for a few posts and confuse the OP with suggestions like Pledge and Murphy’s Oil Soap and 80-grit sandpaper before chiming in with the correct information.
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
43537 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 2:38 pm to
quote:

What products do you use to clean the fretboard and body?


You're supposed to clean the fret board? Hmmm...no fooling?
This post was edited on 8/22/18 at 2:39 pm
Posted by TheFretShack
Member since Oct 2015
1383 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 5:45 pm to
You aren't necessarily supposed to clean it. Truth be told, the best oil you can put on rosewood and ebony fingerboards is the oil in most folks fingertips. But not all of us play all day every day, up and down the neck in every playing position, conditioning the fingerboard as we do it. Dried out fingerboards, particularly ebony, can also crack and split over time. So we supplement the wood with an oil.

Also, most folks don't like that sludge and mung that can accumulate on fingerboards, particularly if you play a lot and sweat a lot simultaneously. That goo looks nasty, it smells even nastier and makes your fingers stank, and I'm sure it prematurely funks out strings. Clean and conditioned fingerboards look and feel slick to the touch and they're attractive. That's what most guys want.
Posted by MountainTiger
The foot of Mt. Belzoni
Member since Dec 2008
14974 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 6:22 pm to
quote:

Also, most folks don't like that sludge and mung that can accumulate on fingerboards, particularly if you play a lot and sweat a lot simultaneously. That goo looks nasty, it smells even nastier and makes your fingers stank, and I'm sure it prematurely funks out strings.

I know that it can turn fretwire green so it can't be good for strings.

Dan Erlewine recommends just using hot breath on the fretboard to clean small amounts of mung. Like some people do to clean their reading glasses. You breathe on it and then wipe off what you can with a cotton rag. If that doesn't get rid of everything, then hit it with naptha. I've found that technique works better on finished fretboards like solid maple.

Also, talking about oil, since naptha is a solvent it probably removes a bit of the oil that's already present in the grain of the fretboard. So using some lemon oil after cleaning with naptha is a good idea.
Posted by TFTC
Chicago, Il
Member since May 2010
23673 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 6:38 pm to
Posted by OldTigahFot
Drinkin' with the rocket scientists
Member since Jan 2012
10507 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 9:01 pm to
Cleaning lady takes care of that. I have no earthly idea.

Posted by ddbnsb
Raised in New Orleans
Member since Dec 2005
3520 posts
Posted on 8/22/18 at 9:10 pm to
quote:

video tutorial


Posted by TheFretShack
Member since Oct 2015
1383 posts
Posted on 8/23/18 at 6:55 am to
Also, for removing fingerboard crud, heed my trick of using the edge of an old credit card or driver's license as a micro scraper. Scrape it while it's dry, before you use any naphtha or oil, it comes off easier ... in gross grayish brown crumbs. I've scraped mung so thick off fingerboards that way, my bench looked like people were eating brownies on it without plates or napkins. Thank gosh for shop vacs with brush attachments. Nasty.
Posted by wareaglepete
Union of Soviet Auburn Republics
Member since Dec 2012
19452 posts
Posted on 8/23/18 at 7:49 am to
All that nastiness that builds up on your guitar over the years, that is the mojo. Don't clean that up. Gives it character.
Posted by LSU alum wannabe
Katy, TX
Member since Jan 2004
27872 posts
Posted on 8/23/18 at 8:01 am to
quote:

All that nastiness that builds up on your guitar over the years, that is the mojo. Don't clean that up. Gives it character


Possible theft deterrrent too.
Posted by TheFretShack
Member since Oct 2015
1383 posts
Posted on 8/23/18 at 8:10 am to
I like fingerboards that discolor, stain and wear into scallops over time. THAT gives character and a cool mojo.

This, however, a photo I found online of what I'm referring to, is simply FILTH.



Posted by tidalmouse
Whatsamotta U.
Member since Jan 2009
30706 posts
Posted on 8/23/18 at 9:14 am to
You've definitely made me feel the need to clean mine.Been playing it every day since purchase 3 months ago.

D-28 has an Ebony fret-board.

Thanks for the tips.
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