Cleaning my wenge fingerboard.

[The_Orlonater]

Aany tips ,or ideas? I used the search function and I had ideas about naphta and then boiled linseed oil, warwick beeswax, and tung oil. I don't know what to do. I want to clean the gunk in the frets and some green stuff on the board, help.

[SC Bassboy]

Oh, here's some stuff I have perfected over the last few years with my Warwicks.

If you don't have one, I highly recommend purchasing a Dremel or similar rotary tool. You can use it for all kinds of things around the house, including cleaning your basses. There is a wire wheel attachment with plastic wires that is perfect for cleaning the Wenge fretboard. It digs into the grain of the wood without damaging it, unlike a metal wire wheel. If you don't have a rotary tool/plastic wire wheel, you can use an old toothbrush. Take a piar of scissors and cut the toothbrush bristles really short, this will increase their tensile strength. Then scrub away!
As for the green/tarnish on the brass frets, you need to clean them with a rubbing compound. I put a piece of masking tape on each side of the fret, thus covering the fretboard. This is VERY important because it will keep rubbing compound from getting in the wood grain. Then you take a cloth and rub the hell out of the frets with a rubbing compound (3M makes some great stuff. usually found in the automotive section). Again, if you have a rotary tool this is easier because they make buffing wheels you can do it with.
When you are through with the previous steps, simply rub some Danish, Tung or some other sort of oil on the fretboard and you are good to go!

[The_Orlonater]

Originally Posted by SC Bassboy

Oh, here's some stuff I have perfected over the last few years with my Warwicks.

If you don't have one, I highly recommend purchasing a Dremel or similar rotary tool. You can use it for all kinds of things around the house, including cleaning your basses. There is a wire wheel attachment with plastic wires that is perfect for cleaning the Wenge fretboard. It digs into the grain of the wood without damaging it, unlike a metal wire wheel. If you don't have a rotary tool/plastic wire wheel, you can use an old toothbrush. Take a piar of scissors and cut the toothbrush bristles really short, this will increase their tensile strength. Then scrub away!
As for the green/tarnish on the brass frets, you need to clean them with a rubbing compound. I put a piece of masking tape on each side of the fret, thus covering the fretboard. This is VERY important because it will keep rubbing compound from getting in the wood grain. Then you take a cloth and rub the hell out of the frets with a rubbing compound (3M makes some great stuff. usually found in the automotive section). Again, if you have a rotary tool this is easier because they make buffing wheels you can do it with.
When you are through with the previous steps, simply rub some Danish, Tung or some other sort of oil on the fretboard and you are good to go!

When I do this and put on my strings, do I have to adjust my trussrod? Warwicks have extremley stable necks, and I don't want to screw anything up.

[SC Bassboy]

Shouldn't have to. I take all the string off my Warwick all the time and it always goes right back where it was. In fact, I barely remember the last time I had to adjust my truss rod.

[The_Orlonater]

Originally Posted by SC Bassboy

Shouldn't have to. I take all the string off my Warwick all the time and it always goes right back where it was. In fact, I barely remember the last time I had to adjust my truss rod.

I'm liking that. I love basses with thick necks.

EDIT: Also, would Warwick Beeswax work for a rubbing compound?

[SC Bassboy]

Originally Posted by The_Orlonater

I'm liking that. I love basses with thick necks.

EDIT: Also, would Warwick Beeswax work for a rubbing compound?

No. Rubbing compunds have an abrasive quality. You need that to get the tarnish off the frets and carnuaba wax won't do it. Any kind of metal polish or automotive rubbing compound will work.

This is what I use
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Perfect-Rub.../dp/B0002NUNB6

This works great too
http://housewares.hardwarestore.com/...sh-145144.aspx

[jnevi9nr]

I like to get some additional thoughts on this subject.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by jnevi9nr

I like to get some additional thoughts on this subject.

I use Brasso and a small piece of cotton cloth to get the frets clean and shiny. Use some masking tape to keep it off the fingerboard. You can clean beside the frets and get all the gunk out with naptha and a toothbrush. Lighter fluid is naptha if you can't easily find any. Paint thinner will work also but takes longer to evaporate. None of these will damage your frets or fingerboard. Naptha and paint thinner will dissolve wax so if you have waxed your bass, keep it off the finish. Won't hurt the finish. Just dissolves wax leaving a dull spot.