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Fretboard Maintenance

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(@sjt1316)
Trusted Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 76
Topic starter  

To keep my fretboard in good repair, I oil it down every couple of times I change the strings.  If your fretboard looks dull and dry, here's what to do:

1) Remove the strings.
2) Get your favorite brand of lemon oil (or any type of liquid, non-spray furniture polish).  I use Old English Lemon Oil.
3) Place a drop (or two) between the frets.
4) Use your finger (or soft cloth) to spread the oil around, coating the area.
5) Repeat between each pair of frets.  Frets closer to the bridge will obviously use less oil.
6) Let the guitar sit for a few hours.
7) Wipe excess oil from fretboard with a soft cloth.
8) Re-string and enjoy your younger feeling fretboard!

Note:  If you have a **really** nice guitar or special wood on your fretboard, you may need to use a different oil.  but odds are, if you have that kind of guitar, you probably already new this :-)

--Steve
If you're enjoying it, are you still a struggling artist??
D~~n the man, save the Empire!


   
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(@musenfreund)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 22 years ago
Posts: 5108
 

I recommend fretboard oil.  It's inexpensive and a bottle lasts years.  You can buy it at a guitar shop.  

Myself,  I let it sit for a few minutes before wiping off the excess.  I find that's sufficient for letting the oil soak in.  

Well we all shine on--like the moon and the stars and the sun.
-- John Lennon


   
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(@taylorr)
Prominent Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 736
 

What kind of oil do you reccommend?  I dont have a favorite kind of lemon oil.  Thanks mate.

aka Izabella


   
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(@greybeard)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 5840
 

A lot of guitar making companies sell their own brand of lemon oil - often as part of a general maintenance kit.

I have bottles from both Harmony and Stella - it's the same stuff from the same company under a different label.

I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
Greybeard's Pages
My Articles & Reviews on GN


   
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(@nicktorres)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 5381
 

scott's liquid gold


   
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(@twistedfingers)
Honorable Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 596
 

scott's liquid gold

and lighter fluid. ;) ;D :P

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- "WOW--What a Ride!"


   
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(@nicktorres)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 5381
 

haha...

seriously for a moment, even though lighter fluid is a great cleaner for your guitar body, don't ever use it on the fretboard.  It will dry it out.

But those are my two cleaners of choice.


   
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(@anonymous)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 8184
 

Nick

I bet you drink it too, you silver tongued devil you ;)

Pet


   
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(@alterego)
Estimable Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 83
 

hey Nick, howdy? Long time no chat. (btw i don't remember ever chatting with him)
Let the guitar sit for a few hours! Would the sitting guitar like to have some tea and pastries?

http://poemasmuertos.blogspot.com/


   
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(@alterego)
Estimable Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 83
 

My favourite brand of lemon oil is one you can "lick" off the guitar fretboard. Slurp, slurp, yummy! ;) No wonder they call 'em "licks"

http://poemasmuertos.blogspot.com/


   
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(@anonymous)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 8184
 

I like the lemmon oil you put on pan cakes, yum yum

So alterego you lick your guitar too? I thought i was the only one....

"my precious"*licks the frets*


   
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(@nicktorres)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 5381
 

urgh, somebody get me some hand sanitizer


   
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(@anonymous)
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Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 8184
 

;D    LOL      ;D


   
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(@greybeard)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 5840
 

Is hand sanitizer good for fretboards then?   ;)

I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
Greybeard's Pages
My Articles & Reviews on GN


   
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(@anonymous)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 8184
 

After pet has licked the frets it's best to amputate! ;D ;)


   
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