Fret board cleaning

[TinPan]

What is your preferred rosewood fret board cleaning solution? I had been using linseed oil on my own fret board as well as my customers set ups, but the linseed oil seems to turn fingers black, Im thinking of switching to lemon oil. I have tried the #1 & #2 Dunlop system but it does the same black fingers thing. I would like your input...

 

[formula73]

Gerlitz Guitar Honey. It smells like mostly mineral spirits, pretty much like that Dunlop stuff. I’ve never had issues with black fingers on anything. Are the boards dyed?

 

[ICTGoober]

Pros like me use Howard Feed'N'Wax...

 

[Mincer]

I use the Ernie Ball fretboard wipes. They get a lot of dirt off.

 

[Mr. 80's]

I've been using Kyser Dr. Stringfellow Lem-Oil for what seems like ages now. I use it on rosewood, ebony and now recently Indian Laurel. It's Great stuff IMHO. Cleans and conditions the board nicely and also cleans the frets nicely as well. I only do it no more than 1-2 times a year. That Howards feed and wax is great stuff. I've used it professionally on all kinds of wood furniture/antiques but never on a guitar.

 

[ErikH]

I've been using Kyser Dr. Stringfellow Lem-Oil for what seems like ages now. I use it on rosewood, ebony and now recently Indian Laurel. It's Great stuff IMHO. Cleans and conditions the board nicely and also cleans the frets nicely as well. I only do it no more than 1-2 times a year.

I use the same stuff. 1 bottle has lasted me a long long time. I just used it the other day when I was restringing my Kramer Baretta. I really like that Lem-Oil.

 

[Top-L]

Naptha for cleaning follwed by Feed n Wax.

 

[GuitarStv]

The rare times that I've needed some sort of chemical cleaner I've always used naptha or lighter fluid followed by a little Dunlop fretboard conditioner.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Naptha for cleaning & Fret Doctor to nourish.

 

[Securb]

I use the Ernie Ball fretboard wipes. They get a lot of dirt off.

You are also on the ocean. Do your fretboards dry out from the salt?

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

I use this on all my boards, except for maple, and never had issues with my fingers turning black.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

+1 on naphtha for removing accumulated deposits.
I used Formby's Lemon Furniture Oil on fretboards for decades.
Nowadays I use Fret Dr for rosewood, about once a year.
Or Feed N Wax on ebony or pau ferro, every two years or so.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Lemon oil

 

[Mincer]

You are also on the ocean. Do your fretboards dry out from the salt?

They dry out from constant air conditioning an de-humidifying in every indoor building.

 

[Erlend_G]

Last time I cleaned my Epi's rosewood board; I used a 50/50 mixture of "green soap" and warm water, on a rag. Then let it soak in;
-it was so petrified it wouldn't come off. If I had some alcohol, I think I'd have used that.

Anyways, I then cleaned it with just water- let it dry; and saw it had turned very very dry. I then applied some "natural treatment" made of beeswax, tar and lindseed oil;
which actually worked very well- and gave it a lustrous, alive shine.


I just made a post about this . My solution might not be... eh... advisable though? It did work for me.

Have a good time

-E

 

[Erlend_G]

EDIT: They did advice me, to next time use a toothbrush; to get out the filth & grime from wood pores.

The finger gunk looks awful in there, and didn't want to come out , using just a rag.