How to clean a maple fingerboard

[mrdavek]

I am getting ready to put a neck up on ebay...But I want to clean the fretboard first

What are you guys using to clean a maple fingerboard?

All suggestions are appreciated,

Sincerely

Dave

[fr8_trane]

The easiest way to get built up gunk off your maple fretboard is...
Used dryer sheets.

I know it sounds weird but they work like a charm to remove buildup that would otherwise take quite a bit of elbow grease to remove with solvents like naptha (lighter fluid) or lemon oil.

[Boris Bubbanov]

The easiest way to get built up gunk off your maple fretboard is...
Used dryer sheets.

I know it sounds weird but they work like a charm to remove buildup that would otherwise take quite a bit of elbow grease to remove with solvents like naptha (lighter fluid) or lemon oil.


I can't resist. I've got to try this.

[fr8_trane]

I had the same response. I didn't have a used one so I just grabbed a new one. It worked unbelievably well but left some bits of waxy residue behind which I needed to clean with a terry cloth. I assume the used dryer sheet won't leave any residue.

I found this little tidbit somewhere on the web last week while I was trying to find out how to clean the buildup off my maple board. Naptha and lemon oil were the most common choices for finished maple but when I read the dryer sheet thing I had to try it. I now have a couple used dryer sheets in my guitar tool box.

P.S. to get the gap where the frets meet the board squeaky clean you may have to use a tooth brush with a dab of naptha or lemon oil.

[mrdavek]

Hmmmmm

Dryer sheets did absolutely nothing for me

Any other tips?

[Tone_Terrific]

Tip I read (not used) from Erlewine, was spit and a toothbrush. Can't hurt. Cheap, unless you go boutique.

[fr8_trane]

Hmmmmm

Dryer sheets did absolutely nothing for me

Any other tips?

Really? What kind of build up do you have? Mine was the typical finger grease that builds up in sort of a triangular shape across the flats of fingerboard between the frets. Its pretty gummy stuff and solvents take some serious rubbing to get it off. Dryer sheet pretty much wiped it off with no effort most likely because its mildly abrasive.

Now when I was done there was still a thin line of grunge where the fret meets the board. If you want to get rid of that I would use a toothbrush and naptha or lemon oil.

[mrdavek]

Problem solved!

Mr. Clean magic eraser...worked like a charm

[shane88]

toothbrush + damp cloth

[zombiwoof]

I've always used Naptha (lighter fluid). There's a reason Hendrix had that on hand when he burned his guitar at Monterey!

Al

[shane88]

I've always used Naptha (lighter fluid). There's a reason Hendrix had that on hand when he burned his guitar at Monterey!

Al
good call > try burning it off :agree

[K-Line]

I tried that and everyone laughed cause I smelled Bounce Fresh! :)

[fumbler]

Tip I read (not used) from Erlewine, was spit and a toothbrush. Can't hurt. Cheap, unless you go boutique.

Ummm . . . boutique?

"Can I get a set of strings, a few picks and a bottle of the Clapton Saliva?"

[T.Wesley]

Why would anybody use lemon oil on a lacquered maple fingerboard??

It's paint - clean it like you would clean anything that's painted with a hard, shiny finish.

--chiba

[Rosewood]

Glass cleaner followed by a little polish, may not even need the glass cleaner. Naptha works, like Chiba said, it's paint. Whatever you clean the body with will work on the finished fingerboard.

[fr8_trane]

Why would anybody use lemon oil on a lacquered maple fingerboard??

It's paint - clean it like you would clean anything that's painted with a hard, shiny finish.

--chiba

Because most lemon oil is actually a solvent with lemon scent. Lots of folks DON'T recommended it for bare wood as the solvent actually dries it out.

You need to be aware that whatever you put on the fretborad WILL seep into the wood where the fret meets the fretboard.

[NoahL]

my question is, if a dryer sheet works better than lighter fluid, what am i spreading all over my clothes when i dry them with a dryer sheet inside? scary...