Cleaning a very grimey rosewood fretboard

[JacobTM]

Hey all,

So I got my hands on a used TC-90 which looks like the rosewood fretboard hasn't been cleaned in years and years. Thick grime.

I've used some lemon oil and a clean rag, but this grime is caked on. Any tips on how to take it up a notch and get rid of this stuff? Sandpaper?

[Ayrton]

Re: Cleaning a very grimey rosewood fretboard

Naphtha (lighter fluid) and an old credit card will get most of it. Follow that up with a brush in the direction of the grain (old toothbrush works great).

Once it is clean, then you can oil the board.

[uOpt]

Re: Cleaning a very grimey rosewood fretboard

Electrical toothbrush. Good to have anyway.

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Cleaning a very grimey rosewood fretboard

Yup. I've always used old toothbrushes. Works great!

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Cleaning a very grimey rosewood fretboard

I've been a toothbrush fan for a long time now but the wife has an old electric toothbrush around that I just have to try for the heck of it. Honey, when you stop by the store can you get two AAA batteries, I need to clean the fretboard on my Strat?

[CTN]

Re: Cleaning a very grimey rosewood fretboard

toothbrush ftw

It's like convergent evolution.

[Chickenwings]

Re: Cleaning a very grimey rosewood fretboard

eucalyptus oil.

[Redmist]

Re: Cleaning a very grimey rosewood fretboard

Real lemon oil and a cloth.

Job done.

[Jeffrec]

Re: Cleaning a very grimey rosewood fretboard

Naphtha (lighter fluid) and an old credit card will get most of it. Follow that up with a brush in the direction of the grain (old toothbrush works great).

Once it is clean, then you can oil the board.

+1 I would add, use Dr. Duck's Axe Wax to oil it when you're done