unleashthejay
New member
Im new to guitar maintenance, so I was wondering if I could get some advice on applying lemon oil on a fretboard. :usa1:
Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
- Thread starter unleashthejay
- Start date
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
Yes I would take off all the strings.
The application is easy. Put some oil on a cloth, rub the fingerboard until it looks wet. Let soak in maybe 10-15 minutes. Rub out to remove excess with another dry cloth.
Before applying it works best if the fingerboard is clean.
A tip that works great if your fingerboard is really gunky is to use Windex and paper towels. It cuts right through the gunk without a lot of rubbing or having to use steel wool.
Yes I would take off all the strings.
The application is easy. Put some oil on a cloth, rub the fingerboard until it looks wet. Let soak in maybe 10-15 minutes. Rub out to remove excess with another dry cloth.
Before applying it works best if the fingerboard is clean.
A tip that works great if your fingerboard is really gunky is to use Windex and paper towels. It cuts right through the gunk without a lot of rubbing or having to use steel wool.
JacksonMIA
Lemur-buckerologist
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
I don't guess you'd have to, but it would sure be a lot easier.
LJ King has some good advice there.
I don't guess you'd have to, but it would sure be a lot easier.
LJ King has some good advice there.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
If you don't want to use Windex, you can also take a tooth brush and run it over the fretboard for a couple of minutes before oiling everything up. That also works pretty well to get rid of any gunk.
If you don't want to use Windex, you can also take a tooth brush and run it over the fretboard for a couple of minutes before oiling everything up. That also works pretty well to get rid of any gunk.
I_M_Ken
Active member
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
so just a plain old toothbrush eh? dont need any kinda cleaning liquid or something?
so just a plain old toothbrush eh? dont need any kinda cleaning liquid or something?
SlyFoxx
Glossless
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
I actually apply the lemon oil with a toothbrush...scrub a bit and then wipe off with an old cotten rag. A few drops is all you need. (save old T-shirts!) I keep my hands pretty clean when I play so my FB does not get too dirty between treatments. (About twice a year.)
I actually apply the lemon oil with a toothbrush...scrub a bit and then wipe off with an old cotten rag. A few drops is all you need. (save old T-shirts!) I keep my hands pretty clean when I play so my FB does not get too dirty between treatments. (About twice a year.)
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
Usually, the lemon oil itself will remove any grime when you wipe it off with a cloth.
I don't recommend using anything that has alcohol or cleaning solvents. If it gets on your finish, it can dull it. Also, if it's not made for guitar fretboards, there's a chance it can loosen the frets or binding.
It's best to NOT have strings on it, because oil permeates the wound strings and can deaden them.
I just use lemon oil and an old sock.
Usually, the lemon oil itself will remove any grime when you wipe it off with a cloth.
I don't recommend using anything that has alcohol or cleaning solvents. If it gets on your finish, it can dull it. Also, if it's not made for guitar fretboards, there's a chance it can loosen the frets or binding.
It's best to NOT have strings on it, because oil permeates the wound strings and can deaden them.
I just use lemon oil and an old sock.
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
A clean sock, I hope.
Avoid using typical household cleaning agents on guitars. Ammonia, as well as alcohols, are bad for finishes, and can damage, fade, and break down the finish over time. Furniture polishes have silicates in them that can damage finish and stain the wood.
Use products intended for the guitar and follow the recommendations on the back. Lemon oil need only be done once or twice a year. Waiting until your next string change to apply lemon oil isn't going to hurt anything. Lemon oil won't penetrate the finish on maple necks (nor would you want it to), so spit and a rag works fine on those. You could use polish if you buffed it smooth enough so it didn't leave a sticky residue.
Finally, you can keep excess gunk from building up no your strings and frets if you wipe the strings down with a dry, clean cloth every time you finish playing. That'll keep things cleaner and prolong the life of your strings.
A clean sock, I hope.
Avoid using typical household cleaning agents on guitars. Ammonia, as well as alcohols, are bad for finishes, and can damage, fade, and break down the finish over time. Furniture polishes have silicates in them that can damage finish and stain the wood.
Use products intended for the guitar and follow the recommendations on the back. Lemon oil need only be done once or twice a year. Waiting until your next string change to apply lemon oil isn't going to hurt anything. Lemon oil won't penetrate the finish on maple necks (nor would you want it to), so spit and a rag works fine on those. You could use polish if you buffed it smooth enough so it didn't leave a sticky residue.
Finally, you can keep excess gunk from building up no your strings and frets if you wipe the strings down with a dry, clean cloth every time you finish playing. That'll keep things cleaner and prolong the life of your strings.
Bloozinay
New member
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
Man, if you need a brush to clean gunk off your fretboard, you need to think more about your personal hygiene. Take a bath, dude. At least wash your hands after eating pizza and greasy dripping hamburgers.
Man, if you need a brush to clean gunk off your fretboard, you need to think more about your personal hygiene. Take a bath, dude. At least wash your hands after eating pizza and greasy dripping hamburgers.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
Yes, and clean underwear to polish the rest of the guitar. :fingersx:
A clean sock, I hope.
Yes, and clean underwear to polish the rest of the guitar. :fingersx:
75lespaul
New member
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
Now that's just NOT rock n roll. :laugh2: I love playing right after I've eaten some ribs dripping in bbq sauce. MMMMMMMMM. Cleaning your hands takes too much time.
Now that's just NOT rock n roll. :laugh2: I love playing right after I've eaten some ribs dripping in bbq sauce. MMMMMMMMM. Cleaning your hands takes too much time.
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
Windex does not harm the rosewood of the fingerboard in any way.
But techs that want to charge you more are free to disagree.
The simple question is: do you care for something that works, or do you care to pay your tech.
The answer is as always, yours.
Windex does not harm the rosewood of the fingerboard in any way.
But techs that want to charge you more are free to disagree.
The simple question is: do you care for something that works, or do you care to pay your tech.
The answer is as always, yours.
jerryjg
PinkElephantologist
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
Bite me! er...i mean, clean the fretboard with lukewarm water and scrub the F*ck outta it with a clean sock (unles you find wannA Townshends dirty old socks and wanNa rub some mojo into it) or a toothbrush depending on the funk. Now, when its clean and dry, then use another sock (this time it better be clean or Hendrix used sock) and rub lemon oil- I just smear a ton of it and wait awhile and wipe off the excess. I repeat it after a few hours, and wait ,using less and less each time. After a day or so, its ready to string. Then you can put a couple more coats on with the strings. No big deal-just wipe em down.That will be 65.00, paypal.
Bite me! er...i mean, clean the fretboard with lukewarm water and scrub the F*ck outta it with a clean sock (unles you find wannA Townshends dirty old socks and wanNa rub some mojo into it) or a toothbrush depending on the funk. Now, when its clean and dry, then use another sock (this time it better be clean or Hendrix used sock) and rub lemon oil- I just smear a ton of it and wait awhile and wipe off the excess. I repeat it after a few hours, and wait ,using less and less each time. After a day or so, its ready to string. Then you can put a couple more coats on with the strings. No big deal-just wipe em down.That will be 65.00, paypal.
jerryjg
PinkElephantologist
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
Ribs? thats Blues man, not rock. Rock is cavier.
Ribs? thats Blues man, not rock. Rock is cavier.
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
I'll agree with you on that.
A buddy of mine is a luthier and he uses Windex.
I'll agree with you on that.
A buddy of mine is a luthier and he uses Windex.
DrDoug
New member
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
I have used Fast Fret for over 20 years, and I really like it. On my maple neck Peavey (clear finish), after playing I apply FF the whole length of the strings and to the fretboard. Using a cut-up old cotton sock turned inside out, I wipe down the top of the strings. Then I slide the sock under and through the pickup area and wipe down the backside of the strings & fretboard using the 'furry' inside of the sock to clean in close to the frets. While there, I clean the underside of the bridge with a quick buff of the sock, then pull it out and give the guitar a quick overall wipe off. I do this before putting it away because we live about a half mile from the ocean, and in a high humidity salt environment, things with steel like to get a bit rusty if given a chance.
This way, it is ready to play right out of the case. And it always looks nice too (nothing wrong with that!). With my 12 string acoustic (rosewood), I apply FF before and after playing as I play it less frequently and bronze wound strings do not like salt air. Plus the fretboard soaks up the FF application before I get it out to play, so the quick wipe before playing refreshes it.
About twice a year, I apply a bit of lemon oil with a clean sock scrap to the acoustic. I found a way to do it without pulling the strings, and it works real slick. Use several thin layers of plastic (strips of garbage bag plastic works well) to back the cloth you have applied a bit of lemon oil to, slide it under the strings with the plastic against the underside of the strings and the cloth against the fretboard. Wipe the neck (up & down as well as across it) to apply the oil, then pull it out and slip a clean piece of cloth in and buff it off. Fast, easy and no need to mess with the strings.
Just thought I would relate how I have done it. I am very happy with the results, and it works well for me anyway. One other thought I have had but never really talked about with other players is one possible benefit of lubricating with FF regularly. Before going into computers, I worked as an auto/RV/marine mechanic for fifteen years (and it is still my hobby), and one thing I have learned is that metal to metal contact induces wear. Oil helps to prevent this by putting a thin barrier between moving metal parts. I would think that the same would apply to a guitar and fret/string contact. I do use flat wounds on my electric, so that can explain the barely noticable wear after 20 years of use by me (which I dressed up while I had it apart to put in my new SD's!). Though the same is for my twelve string, which has rounds on it (I do play it about half as often though), which I would think could induce more fret wear.
Either way, I am happy with my care method!
I have used Fast Fret for over 20 years, and I really like it. On my maple neck Peavey (clear finish), after playing I apply FF the whole length of the strings and to the fretboard. Using a cut-up old cotton sock turned inside out, I wipe down the top of the strings. Then I slide the sock under and through the pickup area and wipe down the backside of the strings & fretboard using the 'furry' inside of the sock to clean in close to the frets. While there, I clean the underside of the bridge with a quick buff of the sock, then pull it out and give the guitar a quick overall wipe off. I do this before putting it away because we live about a half mile from the ocean, and in a high humidity salt environment, things with steel like to get a bit rusty if given a chance.
This way, it is ready to play right out of the case. And it always looks nice too (nothing wrong with that!). With my 12 string acoustic (rosewood), I apply FF before and after playing as I play it less frequently and bronze wound strings do not like salt air. Plus the fretboard soaks up the FF application before I get it out to play, so the quick wipe before playing refreshes it.
About twice a year, I apply a bit of lemon oil with a clean sock scrap to the acoustic. I found a way to do it without pulling the strings, and it works real slick. Use several thin layers of plastic (strips of garbage bag plastic works well) to back the cloth you have applied a bit of lemon oil to, slide it under the strings with the plastic against the underside of the strings and the cloth against the fretboard. Wipe the neck (up & down as well as across it) to apply the oil, then pull it out and slip a clean piece of cloth in and buff it off. Fast, easy and no need to mess with the strings.
Just thought I would relate how I have done it. I am very happy with the results, and it works well for me anyway. One other thought I have had but never really talked about with other players is one possible benefit of lubricating with FF regularly. Before going into computers, I worked as an auto/RV/marine mechanic for fifteen years (and it is still my hobby), and one thing I have learned is that metal to metal contact induces wear. Oil helps to prevent this by putting a thin barrier between moving metal parts. I would think that the same would apply to a guitar and fret/string contact. I do use flat wounds on my electric, so that can explain the barely noticable wear after 20 years of use by me (which I dressed up while I had it apart to put in my new SD's!). Though the same is for my twelve string, which has rounds on it (I do play it about half as often though), which I would think could induce more fret wear.
Either way, I am happy with my care method!
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: Do you have to take off strings to apply lemon oil on a fretboard?
I use the toothbrush to work the lemon oil in . . . it also seems to loosen any dirt that has been ground into the fretboard, then I wipe it all off with a cloth. It's worked great every time that I've done it. Even if your fretboard looks clean, you'ld be surprised how much crap you can pull off of it with a little toothbrush and some lemon oil. Maybe it's just my imagination, but when the fretboard is clean of any of that crap, it seems like the guitar resonates better. . .
I use the toothbrush to work the lemon oil in . . . it also seems to loosen any dirt that has been ground into the fretboard, then I wipe it all off with a cloth. It's worked great every time that I've done it. Even if your fretboard looks clean, you'ld be surprised how much crap you can pull off of it with a little toothbrush and some lemon oil. Maybe it's just my imagination, but when the fretboard is clean of any of that crap, it seems like the guitar resonates better. . .
