Cleaning/protecting an unfinished maple neck

[Chris]

Hi guys - I have a question for you, but first a bit of background...

I used to have a guitar with an unfinished (or maybe very lightly oiled) maple neck, which I loved to play, but it got quite grubby after a while.  After looking around on the web for a way to clean it, it seemed that most people recommended against using fretboard cleaners on an unfinished maple neck, and the best advice I got was to rub it down with fine sandpaper, but I didn't want to do this regularly, so I just put up with the 'vintage' look.

On to my question...

I have now got another guitar with an unfinished maple neck, and I'm wondering, if the fingerboard cannot easily be cleaned, is there something I can do to protect it from getting grubby in the first place?  I'm thinking of oiling it, but I don't know what kind of oil to use, and whether it would significantly affect the way it plays and feels.  Any ideas?

[WezV]

if you want it to stay clean, but still be an oil finish then go for tru-oil.  you can rub it back with 0000 liberon wire wool to get the feel you like.  it buffs up nicely  if needed and feels great.

i do sometimes prefer danish oil and wax, which feels great - but wont stay as clean as tru-oil does


fwiw, no factory sends  a guitar out with a neck that is completely unfinished.  they are genrally oiled and/or waxed to some degree.   raw wood will feel a little furry after some time, oiled/waxed keeps everything really sleek

[Chris]

You're right, I found the specs of the guitar and it does say that the neck is oiled, but it doesn't say what kind of oil.  Would I still be okay putting tru-oil on top of the existing oil finish?  Or could they 'react' with eachother (it's probably clear now that I know nothing about finishes!)

Also, is tru oil gun stock finish what I'm looking for?  I've found loads of links on google to buy the stuff, but they are all gun stock finishes - I assume it's all the same stuff?

[WezV]

thats the stuff.   i recommend it because of its ease of use and it will feel great

but i will give a little rant.  some people wipe it one with a cloth and forget about it.  its fine, it does what it says.... but it is not a nice finish


wipe it one with a cloth, that bit is fine.  but you really need to rub it back with the good quality wire wool to get the best from it


its slightly more protective than other oils as it builds on the surface more, meaning less maintenance down the road.  it can even be used to get a lacquer like high gloss, but i would still rather use actual lacquer for that

should work fine with other oiled finished, you can always the heel.

[Chris]

Cheers Wez, I've ordered some this morning, and I think I'll try it out on a scr@p bit of hardwood first, just so that I know I'm applying it right before I try it on the neck heel.

Thanks again,
Chris