Fingerboard conditioning

[rx2enemy]

Would boiled linseed oil be OK to condition a fingerboard? I know that there are specific oils for fingerboards, but I am trying to use what I have.
Thanks

[Rocky McD]

Boiled linseed oil is a good wood preserative and would keep out some moisture. Be very careful with any rag you use to apply the oil. IT Will busrt into flames under certain conditions.
Rocky

[Musiclogic]

Like Rocky alluded to. Boiled Linseed Oil is a sealer more of a sealer than a conditioner for wood. Walnut oil, even mineral oil, lemon oil, would all be better choices.

[rx2enemy]

Think I could thin it with something to condition better? I dont want to gum up the rosewood grain, but I love the luster that linseed oil leaves.

[electracoyote]

Whatever you use, just go easy with it, and limit your conditioning to once a year. I can't imagine any fingerboard needing it more than that.

One of my techs once showed me the result of over-oiling your fingerboard. He removed a fret, and you could actually see a shiny pool of oil at the bottom of the fret slot. The frets were actually coming loose spontaneously. I'm not sure if he ever saved that one or not.

I live in Colorado, very dry here most of the year. Once a year is plenty, and even then I do a light coat, quickly rub it in, then wipe off the excess.

[rx2enemy]

Yes, I have gotten much advice about over-contioning. This bass has not been conditioned in 11 years and the board is dull and gummed over.

[Musiclogic]

dull and gummed over means it needs to be cleaned first, use a good wood cleaner first to get rid of the grime, then let it dry, and go back with a nice oil treatment. I like using Oarnge oil type cleaners personally, as they do not contain alcohol, but alcohol can be your best source for lifting grease and grime out of the grain. If you use alcohol, try to get an oil back to the surface as quickly as possible to stop the drying of the fiber oils in the wood.

[rx2enemy]

Musiclogic- I read in a few forums that saliva is a good way to clean gum out of rosewood. I did that and is seemed to work fine. What would you say about thinning the linseed oil just a bit with alcohol for a 1 coat conditioning? Please let me know if this sounds rediculious or damaging to my board.
thanks

[testing1two]

There are dozens of threads on the subject here and on TGP, but I always go back to Fret Doctor or Gorgomyte. For serious cleaning I use Naptha or Murphy's Oil Soap and a nylon bristle brush.

http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm

http://www.gorgomyte.com/