Fret Cleaner?

Livewire · #1 06-27-2009, 03:02 PM

Hey guys, the frets on my bass are pretty dirty, can anyone recommend me something that can clean/ make them like new again? Thanks a lot

JimmyM · #2 06-27-2009, 03:56 PM

0000 steel wool and elbow grease.

Dirk Diggler · #3 06-27-2009, 06:35 PM

Yep that's what works best, but I'm not sure they still sell Elbow Grease anymore.

And while your at it don't forget to condition your fingerboard.
Dirk

walterw · #4 06-27-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

0000 steel wool and elbow grease.

+1, it has to be the "4x0" kind, and just keep it away from your pickups.

also, on rosewood/ebony boards you can use it to clean the whole thing, but on maple, you'll need to protect the finished wood from the steel wool with tape, or by using a piece of thin plastic with a fret-sized slot in it to let you shine the fret without scratching up the finished fretboard.

dabbler · #5 07-15-2009, 07:42 PM

Dremel with a cotton wheel and flitz will make it look better than new! But you will have to tape off the board.

62bass · #6 07-16-2009, 07:48 PM

I use Brasso with a cotton cloth. Gets a mirror shine.

Craig_S · #7 07-16-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

0000 steel wool and elbow grease.

Exactly what I was going to say.

Make sure you tape off the fretboard, regardless of the wood type, first. Put tape over the body, where the neck joins, and over your pickups, as well. When you are through, carefully remove the masking tape, so you dont dump the steel wool particles back onto the pickups. If it's a bolt on, you can always remove the neck.

ghiadub · #8 07-16-2009, 08:13 PM

another + for 0000 steel wool and tape on the wood

and another tip; hold a magnet behind the wool to catch the small wool hairs that fall off.

Craig_S · #9 07-16-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghiadub

hold a magnet behind the wool to catch the small wool hairs that fall off.

Good tip, but I have slight OCD and I'd be bothered by the steel wool particles on the magnet, every time I looked at it.

I'm serious...

doktorfeelgood · #10 07-16-2009, 08:45 PM

I've always used 0000 steel wool along with the aforementioned elbow grease, and taped off the fretboard but stew-mac sells these and I've always wanted to get one...
Looks like the cat's meow... )-(

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting...rd_Guards.html

Craig_S · #11 07-16-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doktorfeelgood

stew-mac sells these and I've always wanted to get one...
Looks like the cat's meow... )-(

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting...rd_Guards.html

Go buy yourself a draftsman's eraser shield for less than a buck. I prefer taping off the fretboard, personally. The shields are good for spot work, though.

davec · #12 07-16-2009, 09:12 PM

[quote]Good tip, but I have slight OCD and I'd be bothered by the steel wool particles on the magnet, every time I looked at it. I'm serious.../QUOTE]

if you forget tape will get the particles off, at least most of them.

Mr Clean magic eraser will work, but you'll want tape the board.....

I prefer steel wool 0000

joeyl · #13 07-17-2009, 01:12 PM

I don't understand why people use steel wool still, I use the synthetic wool, which is more like scotchbrite from Norton, it is just like 0000 wool without the metal dust, but that's just me

202dy · #14 07-17-2009, 01:22 PM

It all depends on how your shop is set up and what you're used to doing. A roll of sign makers tape is handy for quickly masking off the pickups, both from metal or abrasive particles. Steel wool is a bit less expensive than Scotchbrite. Servicing many guitars per year, that can add up.

The thing that is best about steel wool is that it actually burnishes metal and wood. Abrasives and chemicals just can't do that.

However, each method is a valid way to polish frets. Choose the one you like and master the technique.

WarriorJoe7 · #15 07-17-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

+1, it has to be the "4x0" kind, and just keep it away from your pickups.

also, on rosewood/ebony boards you can use it to clean the whole thing, but on maple, you'll need to protect the finished wood from the steel wool with tape, or by using a piece of thin plastic with a fret-sized slot in it to let you shine the fret without scratching up the finished fretboard.

put masking tape (preferably double-sided) over the pickups completely.

And when using steel wool on the frets put masking tape on both sides of the current fret you are working on. The reuse the tape for the next fret. It's quick and easy to move it if you use masking tape. This protects the wood from scratches.

WarriorJoe7 · #16 07-17-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

Good tip, but I have slight OCD and I'd be bothered by the steel wool particles on the magnet, every time I looked at it.

I'm serious...

better on the magnet than on the pickups, on the floor, or in your nose...

WarriorJoe7 · #17 07-17-2009, 01:57 PM

why is burnishing better?

dabbler · #18 07-17-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

And when using steel wool on the frets put masking tape on both sides of the current fret you are working on. The reuse the tape for the next fret. It's quick and easy to move it if you use masking tape. This protects the wood from scratches.

I actually use this method when I'm Flitzing my frets. In fact I do 3 at a time (i.e., I tape off 3 frets spaced by 7).