polishing guitar inlays

[bluezone]

Ok, i was finding my fret board to be a little sticky: especially the inlays; when doing bends. So I decided to give it a quick polish with 3000 grit and a quick cleaning after. Now the fret board is nice, shiny and slick. The block inlays on my Epip LP Custom are now shinier and bit better feeling. But they are noticeably not as slick as the rosewood on the fret board.
Do i need to polish them to a higher gloss or apply some other form luthier's magic pixie dust? any suggestions?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: polishing guitar inlays

I don't think it would impede you playing wise, as the strings don't actually contact the wood of the fretboard, but if it bothers you that much I'd say try some lemon oil.

 

[bluezone]

Re: polishing guitar inlays

I think i found something that worked. Toothpaste polishing on a soft moist cloth followed by a quick, light buff with foam backed 3000 grit. Man are they shinny now.

 

[bluezone]

Re: polishing guitar inlays

I don't think it would impede you playing wise, as the strings don't actually contact the wood of the fretboard, but if it bothers you that much I'd say try some lemon oil.

My fingers touch the fret board during bends. I think most peoples do when bending. Otherwise, why else do some people scallop the fret board?

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: polishing guitar inlays

My fingers touch the fret board during bends. I think most peoples do when bending. Otherwise, why else do some people scallop the fret board?

Mostly, because someone else thought it was good idea.... whether it was, or not.

 

[Mincer]

Re: polishing guitar inlays

Scalloped frets solve this..haha.
But I've never heard of that problem. I suppose the 'fat' of your finger could drag on the inlays, though, especially if they are big blocks. Nice to see that there is a solution!

 

[bluezone]

Re: polishing guitar inlays

Scalloped frets solve this..haha.
But I've never heard of that problem. I suppose the 'fat' of your finger could drag on the inlays, though, especially if they are big blocks. Nice to see that there is a solution!

Not so much 'fat' as blunt instruments. LOL That and I'm close to needing a re-fret. just working up the nerve to do it.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: polishing guitar inlays

I think i found something that worked. Toothpaste polishing on a soft moist cloth followed by a quick, light buff with foam backed 3000 grit. Man are they shinny now.

Thanks, man. I'm going to file this away in the 'good to know' category. I've never found it to be a problem because I use lemon oil, but if the situation ever arises that that doesn't work, I now know what to try.

I always use 0000 steel wool, though. And I clean the gunk off first (as much as possible) with an old sock with vodka on it. I use old toothbrushes and toothpicks to get the along the frets.

I'm a little OCD and it's a whole operation for me.

 

[NotCardio]

Re: polishing guitar inlays

And I know there's a whole group of people who say that you're fingers shouldn't touch the fretboard because that means you're pressing too hard.

Well, I admit I press too hard. And like you said, if it wasn't a thing, why would players like Yngwie need scalloped fretboards? It's not just a marketing thing. And I personally can't stand a scalloped board.

I wish I could afford ebony boards because to me they're so much slicker.