Maple Fret Board Cleaning

[HDS]

A lot of people ask me how I clean my maple necks and I am going to tell you.
First I don’t mind a dirty neck at all but what I mind is someone else’s dirt. So after buying a used JEM777DY with a dirty neck I looked around the house to see what I could find to clean it with.

I tried regular bleach, soap, alcohol, peroxide; window cleaner, mineral spirits etc. and most had no effect. I kept in mind that I didn’t want to kill the wood or fret wire so I looked for something I had that would be a natural cleaner that removes grease, grease and oil is what’s soaked in the wood fibers. I’m sure a few of you have worked in fast food, I did in my teen years and remember using a product called Simple Green. This stuff is what I clean my boards with.



Not only does it clean the board but I also can clean your fret wire and doesn’t corrode them.

I use Simple Green with an Oral-B electric tooth brush and blue shop paper towels to wipe. Blue shop towels are also good for applying Tong Oil too as they don’t leave lint.

Just to show you with a quick clean on this old RG550 neck.




This neck isn’t as bad as some others I have done but the dirtier it is the more you have to repeat passes.



More to come...

[Rich]

I hope that's the wifes toothbrush

The only issue I found was, it removed the rest of the clearcoat.

[HDS]

I havent had that problem with it so its odd? Besides, the reason the dirt is in the wood is because the acid form your fingers and your finger nails have worn the clearcoat away and you will have to re clean aways. Then you dont have to sand

[Rich]

It was spit cleaned before I used it so I know how much clear it did remove. It might not on all but it certainly did on the one I cleaned with it. Although the end result was probably more preferable to a dirtier board with more original clear, it should be noted that it is a possibility

[Fender868]

I personally liked my boards dirty and stained with love, and not love of thy loins, i meant more like sweat. however, i like to keep my more valued maples clean, so the SK will need to be looked after with time. Not right away though, Rich did a killer re-finish

[losgatosrg350dx]

i use lemon oil and citrus solvent on my fretboard when i clean them

[HDS]

Ok Rich's spit can remove deep dirt. End of Tutorial.

[Rich]

No magic spit here. If it was as clean as I wanted I wouldn't have tried the SG, which did remove a whole lot more, it's just that it removed a lot of clear also

[HDS]

I have another way that removed ghosting. But dont want somebody to get happy and turn their board white. Its an old trick used by carpet cleaners. peroxide and ammonia but you have to mix it right. *dont go mixing it in a jar or anything, you have to use cotton pads, one with peroxide and one with ammonia.*

[Rich]

If there was a ghost on my fretboard I'd have a seance and find out what he wanted

[HDS]

Now who would want to haunt you?

What I mean by ghosting is deep down even after you use SG, you can see shadowing of the old stain at certen angles.
This happends on the really nasty boards.

[Rich]

The ghost of Chistmas future of course!

I never did try that oxalic acid, although I do believe that is what it's for, and I do have some

[CosmicDebris]

Spit can work as a lubricant in a pinch if need be.

[Fender868]

Originally Posted by CosmicDebris

Spit can work as a lubricant in a pinch if need be.

Interesting extra fact there, Cosmic Debris. Someday your wisdom shall save me from a really huge pickle. I imagine the scenario will be lacking clothing and common sense.

God Bless CD! and Rich`s magic saliva!

[HDS]

The quesiton is what are you doing around really huge pickles?