RG 550 Maple Fretboard, alomst done

[Crunchy450]

I just got my first 550 two days ago, I could not believe the finish on the back of the neck! It was so thick and sticky. I took most of it off, and I'm happy with it now. After starting that project I decided to start cleaning the maple fretboard. I have read every thread, sticky and link I can find on the subject. I'm working slow(this is my first time) and am quite happy with the progress. The finish was mostly gone from what I could tell, so I've been using the 0000 steel wool and extra fine sanding sponge method. Now that I'm getting close to finishing it I want to know how. I have read evrything I can but I can't seem to find anything that says what to do to an unfinished maple fretboard. Is tung oil my only option? could I refinish it? Sorry no pics, I left my camera at work, and couldn't wait to get started.

[waylay00]

Hold tight, I'm about to post my guide of what I did when I removed the finish off my RG550 and oiled it with Birchwood Casey Tru Oil and Gunstock Wax. It's what Ernie Ball does to their guitars.

[Crunchy450]

Sweet, can't wait!

[Crunchy450]

I finally figures out how to post pics, I hope! I didn't take too many before pics, cause I couldn't put it down long enough. But the first pic is the guitar as I got it, filthy fretboard! After about 15 hours of very slow work with the sanding sponges and 0000 steel wool you can see what a difference it is! I used Birchwood Casey Tru-oil, and finished it with the gunstock wax, I followed the instructions on the EB site. I am so happy with the results! I would have never thought I could ever take sandpaper to my guitar. I am a complete noob to guitar repair, but thanks to the info here, Rich Harris, and HDS, I felt like a pro and jumped right in! Thanks for all the great lessons!

[narmo]

way to go! looks great

[HDS]

Clean

[Crunchy450]

Thanks guys! Not only clean, but fast! I wish I had thought ahead and taken better pictures when I first got it. Of coarse I was trying to hide the dirt in those pics, I didn't really want to show off a dirty guitar. I took my camera to work to download the pictures, then left it there the night I started workin on the neck. I honestly can't thank you all enough!
Aaron