Author Topic: Cleaning a Rosewood Fingerboard (Read 12874 times)

mikeluke · « **on:** August 15, 2007, 03:47:42 PM »

Any suggestions for cleaning a rosewood fingerboard? I don't think that the guy who had the guitar before me has ever washed his hands in his life!! It is FILTHY!!!

Lemon oil appears to be working but it is a slow process - anything else that I could use to get the grime off before applying lemon oil to condition the fingerboard?

Thanks

Mike

WezV · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2007, 03:57:19 PM »

a good rub down with 0000 wire wool will work wonders:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Liberon-Steel-Wool-23679.htm

just put some masking tape over the pickups first to keep the mess out

another good trick for cleaning stuff is to use some lighter fluid for petrol lighters (naptha) on a rag - but this will remove oils from the fetboard as well so it will need reconditioning with the lemon oil.

I assume you are using proper lemon oil (i.e. lemon essential oils) rather than a lemon smelling cleaning product that is sometimes sold for guitars

http://www.simplysupplements.net/lemon-essential-p-150.html?gclid=CJikx5vi940CFQQdEgodcBXTOQ

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2007, 03:57:40 PM »

some say ethanol, but I'd get that confimrd first

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2007, 03:59:41 PM »

lol a wild guess here, but maybe some CILIT BANG!!

It works on everything else, i must try that sometime haha.

WezV · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2007, 04:02:49 PM »

i probably wouldnt want to use something that corrosive

Lighter fluid is good because it evaporates away quite quickly - just dont smoke aroud the guitar... dont you all know Jimi hendrix was frustrated by the dirt on his guitar at the montery pop festival, thats why he soaked it in lighter fluid!!!!

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2007, 04:03:20 PM »

:lol: :lol: :lol:

If I ever see Barry Scott, I'm gonna bitch slap him for shouting in my front room :lol: :lol:

mikeluke · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2007, 04:42:53 PM »

Mmm - might try white spirit then - less agressive/dangerous than alcohol/lighter fluid...

I usually use wire wool on the frets but I try to keep it off the fingerboard as I have found that it can mark it.

Thanks folks

WezV · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2007, 04:58:00 PM »

what, the really fine 0000 wire wool!!! it dont scratch at all in my experience. but i do tend to finish off going along rather than across the fretboard so i am following the grain for the final polish!

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2007, 04:58:16 PM »

0000 grade wire wool shouldn't scratch. So soft that could probably wipe your backside with it (although I really wouldn't recommend that)

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2007, 05:02:52 PM »

My mate was singing the praises of the Dunlop Lemon Oil he got the other day. For myself I couldn't say, my fretboard is minging - I did clean it with linseed oil when I bought the guitar (in 1993) :lol:

:twisted:

38thBeatle · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2007, 07:44:13 PM »

If you have a cat, you can smear the fretboard with fishpaste (avoid mackerel as it is oily) and get your cat to eat the paste off the board and when he or she is licking off the last remnants, the abrasive tongue is perfect for bring up the 'board a treat.

Ted · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2007, 07:52:19 PM »

Water and a hard bristle toothbrush and then lemon oil works for me.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2007, 08:24:42 PM »

Quote from: 38thBeatle

If you have a cat, you can smear the fretboard with fishpaste (avoid mackerel as it is oily) and get your cat to eat the paste off the board and when he or she is licking off the last remnants, the abrasive tongue is perfect for bring up the 'board a treat.

ROFL

WezV · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2007, 08:33:30 PM »

Quote from: Ted

Water and a hard bristle toothbrush and then lemon oil works for me.

just be sparing with the water if thats what you are going to do!!