polishing frets with micromesh

[mtlin]

I got a new guitar and frets could stand some buffing. They aren't particularly smooth although in other respects the fret work appears to be good. I have a micromesh kit that I bought from Stewart Mac. Can I just buff them with the micromesh? If so, what grits should I start and end with? Any other tips? Thanks!

[clmazza]

I would recommend using 0000 steel wool. Tape off the fret board and buff away my friend!

[paintguy]

If using 0000 steel wool, tape off the pickups as well. If it's a rosewood or ebony board, no need to tape off the board. Follow with bore oil, lemon oil, or oil of your choice.

Btw, I do each fret first, then the fingerboard length following the grain last.

I have never used micromesh so I can't give any advice on that. Maybe use something like 3000 grit if you have it. It's always better to start too fine and if it doesn't cut it enough, then move to something more agressive. Work your way finer again.

Good luck!! There's nothing like clean shiny frets to play on

[waggclan]

+1 on taping the pickups as well !!!

[patpark]

if the frets look and feel rough, i agree with the steel wool. then follow up w/ micro mesh. use the micro mesh as the final stages of buffing. it does leave a smooth sheen on the fretboard so you may want to tape of the board anyways.

if used right, it can make your frets look like mirrors.

[mtlin]

Thanks for your replies! I went ahead and polished with the micromesh without using steel wool. (I figured it the micromesh didn't do it, I could go back with steel wool.) It worked really well. In case anyone is interested, I started with 1500 grit and worked up to 12000. I didn't tape over the fret board but I did tape over the pickups, although that was probably unnecssary because it is the particles of steel wool not fret material that stick to pickups. Now my frets are super smooth and shiney! Maybe if they had been a little rough steel wool would have been in order.