Frets look flakey

[Techy Beccy]

I've noticed some of my frets on my maple neck telecaster appear to be flaking. It feels rough when I run my fingers over the side of them. Anyine have any experience with this?

[orpheo]

Re: Frets look flakey

full maple necks are often finished in a hard finish and the finish goes over the frets. Then, the frets are beveled, leveled, crowned and buffed. Sometimes the finish isn't cut off perfectly and voila, you get what you're seeing. Any luthier worth his/her salt should be able to clean this up and buff this out. Or, just deal with it and ignore it. As long as the string doesn't feel raspy over the frets, you're fine.

[shupe13]

Re: Frets look flakey

Tape them off and hit them with OOOO steel wool.

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[ICTGoober]

Re: Frets look flakey

Tape them off and hit them with OOOO steel wool.

NEVER use steel wool on an electric guitar. NEVER.
Use Scotchbrite - it's non-magnetic, doesn't rust, doesn't crumble into tiny shreds that hurt your fingers.

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Frets look flakey

NEVER use steel wool on an electric guitar. NEVER.
Use Scotchbrite - it's non-magnetic, doesn't rust, doesn't crumble into tiny shreds that hurt your fingers.

What grade (color) do you recommend?

[ICTGoober]

Re: Frets look flakey

Start with light gray, it cuts slower. The maroon cuts faster. NOW - since the finish is maple, you can expect the Scotchbrite to mark up the lacquer, so tape it off between the frets and be careful. Unless you are shooting for a dull finish and feel - then just apply some elbow grease until you are happy.

[Techy Beccy]

Re: Frets look flakey

full maple necks are often finished in a hard finish and the finish goes over the frets. Then, the frets are beveled, leveled, crowned and buffed. Sometimes the finish isn't cut off perfectly and voila, you get what you're seeing. Any luthier worth his/her salt should be able to clean this up and buff this out. Or, just deal with it and ignore it. As long as the string doesn't feel raspy over the frets, you're fine.

Thanks!
I thought that may be the case, but wanted to ask!

I think I'll just polish the top of the frets and wipe down the board. I dont want to peel back the finish seeing as its seeling the board.

I use fine steel wool occasionally on rosewood fretboards only. Usually they stay pretty clean. I might look into the 3m sounds good!

[shupe13]

Re: Frets look flakey

NEVER use steel wool on an electric guitar. NEVER.
Use Scotchbrite - it's non-magnetic, doesn't rust, doesn't crumble into tiny shreds that hurt your fingers.

I used this technique for 35+ years. I guess I'm just lucky.

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