Removing lacquer from frets on a maple neck?

[Philly Q]

I just bought a brand new one-piece maple neck for my Strat.  It's lovely, but so very brand-new that the nice shiny fretboard lacquer is completely covering every single one of the frets.

I guess it would probably wear off with playing, but that's very hit-or-miss and would probably look extremely messy.  So what's the best way of removing the lacquer from the frets without messing up the fretboard?

I think this is one case where I shall have to relax my determination to do everything myself, and take the guitar to Mr Feline.   But I'm still interested to know how it's done.

[Twinfan]

Can you not mask off the fretboard and use fine steel wool?  Then polish the frets?  That should do it?

[Philly Q]

I think it's too thick for steel wool, probably needs something a bit more aggressive.  Then a fret dress, I guess.

There's probably an "Expert Village" video about it somewhere, involving a cheese grater and some Brillo pads...


(http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=15622.0 if you don't know what the hell I'm on about!)

[gingataff]

Didn't Leo use a nail with a fret size groove filed into the head?

[PhilKing]

StewMac's have a fret polishing wheel for a dremel which would probably do the job.  They also have some metal fingerboard protectors which bave a slot for the fret and allow you to work on the frets without worrying too much about the fingerboard.  You could probably make a good job of it with masking tape and then a knife if you only want to clean lacquer off the frets.  Don't press into the surface too hard and it should bring the lacquer right off.  I would then run a stone over the top just to make sure everything was clean.

[FELINEGUITARS]

We have just done that exact same job today here in the workshop
You have to be really careful !
We masked off the fingerboard leaving the frets exposed
We levelled the tops of the frets first ( we were doing a fret dress anyway)
then taking an X-acto knife or even a stanley knife blade  (not in the handle) we pushed the blade into the join between the fret and board. The lacquer flaked off in little strips.

the ceramic wheel on the dremel would be a bit too hit and miss in my opinion (we have those here as well)

[Philly Q]

We have just done that exact same job today here in the workshop
You have to be really careful !

That's what I suspected!  I think once I've put the guitar together I'll bring it along to your place.  I don't want to screw up a new neck.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Can you not mask off the fretboard and use fine steel wool?  Then polish the frets?  That should do it?

In hindsight this might also work but lots of elbow grease required

[Philly Q]

Now I'm thinking I might have a go at a few frets just to see how easy it comes off...   :P