Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

Aceman

Aceman

I am your doctor of love!
So, I have not done this in forever....like over a decade. I want to say I had files way back when. Or maybe I never did it. Or never cleaned ones with this much rust-dust on them.

Tape the board with painters tape, then 0000 steel wool lightly.

That about it?
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

Steel wool is the devil, goober hears that crap he'll tear your head off.

Mask it off -> work your way through high grit sandpaper -> metal polish -> wax -> unmask.
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

You could try Gorgomyte. It's about 10 bucks for a sheet of the stuff but you cut it into small squares and it should do several guitars. Good for boards and frets. I think it's a bit overrated but it does work.
I just polished the frets on my Tribute LP. I use Micro-Mesh for that. It would also work to clean up the frets as long as they aren't pitted.
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

I've used 0000 steel wool for over 35 years.

My, my ,my, momma says Vicki Vallencourt is the devil. I saw her boobies and I like them too!
Aceman said:
So, I have not done this in forever....like over a decade. I want to say I had files way back when. Or maybe I never did it. Or never cleaned ones with this much rust-dust on them.

Tape the board with painters tape, then 0000 steel wool lightly.

That about it?
Click to expand...

Sent from my REVVLPLUS C3701A using Tapatalk
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

I use 10,000 grit papers from Rockler first and then felt block with auto buffing compound sticks. It makes them shine really nice and helps smooth out any dimples making bends easier.
 
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Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

Stainless Steel Frets...problem solved :stooges:

I've used steel wool before...didn't know it was the devil. :saeek:
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

I used to use steel wool, but never again. There are too many great alternatives on the market.
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

I've used steel wool before...didn't know it was the devil. :saeek:
Click to expand...

It rusts....quickly. Since when is rust good around.... anything?
It's magnetic - gets into electronics and shorts them out.
It will hurt you - the steel breaks down into little pieces that get into your skin, and whatever fabrics - it ain't good.

If you absolutely HAD to use metal - use brass wool, not steel wool.
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

Some polishing compound and a dremel tool with the buffing wheel should be done after using the steel wool or extremely fine sandpaper. I have some from Lowe's but Stew-Mac has wheels that are even better. I haven't used these yet but they look like a great option.

https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Too...i4usctqPn3qyQaZTxLfbEksDXZ-stjk0aAnuREALw_wcB

Or a fret eraser if you don't want to use or have a dremel.

https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Too...ing/Polishing_and_abrasives/Fret_Erasers.html
 
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Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

Green pad, then a white.

I like the Dremel wheels myself, but the Scotch Brite pads work.
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

ICTGoober said:
It rusts....quickly. Since when is rust good around.... anything?
It's magnetic - gets into electronics and shorts them out.
It will hurt you - the steel breaks down into little pieces that get into your skin, and whatever fabrics - it ain't good.

If you absolutely HAD to use metal - use brass wool, not steel wool.
Click to expand...

That makes sense–made the mistake of using it on the back of a neck connected to a guitar and was picking pieces out of the pickups for a long time. I didn't have any rust issues when I used it though...granted it has been years since I've used it to clean up frets. Switched to SS frets and haven't had a need to clean frets in years.
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

Or a fret eraser if you don't want to use or have a dremel.
Click to expand...

I have a full compliment of fret erasers from StewMac in all colors and grits. I often cut them into pieces for certain jobs, they work great. I use them most for polishing fret ends after a complete refretting job. A superb tool.
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

And steel wool is a bad idea, unless you do some serious masking...it can ruin a pickup.

Bill
 
Re: Getting a little corrosion / grit off of frets.

Ah yes...parts in pickups. Well, I'm liking going to get a set of A2P's anyway...

I'll give a light steel wool an attempt (near headstock). If it works, great. If not, I'll move on to real polish kit
 
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