Fret Polisher

[Gtowngearhead]

Just noticed today that the frets on my Martin are starting to turn a little green... I'm sure this is NOT good and not a form of relic-ing that anyone would pay for so... What's a good product to use for this guys??

Thanks

McKay

[JSeth]

Get some 0000 steel wool, go over the frets VERY LIGHTLY - you're just polishing, not grinding, LOL! Put some paper or cardboard (easy to make a jig from cardboard for this) on either side of the fret, so you don't go against the grain on your fretboard as that may leave slight scuff/scratch marks (if you're concerned about that).

Recommend wiping your neck/strings down THOROUGHLY after playing - you didn't mention what type strings you're using, but if they are copper, you may want to switch...

Good luck! This is no big deal, I don't think - just another learning experience... There are a few luthiers on this site; no doubt one of them will chime in before too long!

[jcground]

+1 for 0000 steel wool.

[Luke]

You can buy a cloth to clean them, like that comes in the Dunlop 65 kit.

I use a scotch brite pad to avoid metal particles around and masking tape on fingerboard.

[Gtowngearhead]

I use nanoweb elixers... But thanks for the advice! I wasn't sure if there was like fret polisher compound or what... Guess I'll do that next string change.. Any other ideas are welcome everybody!!

[newswede]

I use GHS Gorgomyte. LOVE IT. I brought my '68 J200 to Chicago Music Exchange to pair it against some newer J200s and they asked if it was a re-fretted!

[Cybercat]

Originally Posted by newswede

I use GHS Gorgomyte. LOVE IT. (snip)

+1 ...Great stuff, much faster & shinier than with steel wool. Doesn't get steel shavings everywhere, or mess with the fretboard. Quickly removes even the most hardened build-up of dead skin & gunk from between the frets too...

The frets absolutely gleam after treatment.

[bazooka47]

Steel wool works great, and I also like MicroMesh finishing pads, for a little less mess. You can get these at StewMac.

[musicofanatic5]

Steel wool is a horrible mess in my opinion. I like industrial strength Scotchbrite, first the maroon to remove crap, then the white to polish.