Lemon oil: dulling effect?

[Ryan Mohr]

I bought Dunlop Lemon Oil (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...Oil?sku=425264) a few months ago. I have changed strings twice in that time, so I have oiled my fretboard on my Fender twice. Now, it looks even duller than it did before. Does lemon oil when used frequently have a dulling effect? If so, how often should it be used?

[bongomania]

It could be that the solvents in the lemon oil are reacting to whatever oil or finish was already in/on the wood.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by bongomania

It could be that the solvents in the lemon oil are reacting to whatever oil or finish was already in/on the wood.

Could be, so if the previous owner used something like Lizard Spit or Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes that could cause the dulling?

[bongomania]

Seems plausible anyway.

[walterw]

don't oil that thing more than maybe once a year, if at all. too much softens the wood, and then your frets can start lifting.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by walterw

don't oil that thing more than maybe once a year, if at all. too much softens the wood, and then your frets can start lifting.

Good to know, thanks.

[Rocky McDougall]

I usually just put one coat of oil on necks (after cleaning them), let it dry, wipe of the excess and then buff it on a machine buffer. It really puts a nice gloss on the fretboard.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by walterw

don't oil that thing more than maybe once a year, if at all. too much softens the wood, and then your frets can start lifting.

This is probably true with lemon oil and other petroleum-based mineral oil and mineral spirits products. FWIW "Fret Doctor Bore Oil", which is what I use, advertises that their product (used occasionally) will actually deter fret lifting. It's a non-petroleum oil blend.

[NOVAX]

I knew there was a reason why I liked maple boards

[basmartin]

From what I´ve heard, lemon oil is for cleaning only. To get the fretboard to shine, use another oil..

[Ryan Mohr]

Anyone have any recommendations to give the fretboard a rich luster? Maybe Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes?

[steverosati]

Mineral oil is best, lemon oil tends to have a drying agent in it.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by wikipedia

Wood treatment - the traditional lemon oil used on the unsealed rosewood fingerboards of guitars and other stringed instruments is not made from lemons. It's a different product altogether, made from mineral oil and a solvent, usually naphtha, and got its name from its color and tart smell, and should not be confused with the corrosive oil of lemons.

http://www.tablesaver.com/furnituretips_table_pads.htm

Nondrying oils (paraffin, mineral, and "lemon oil," which is usually mineral oil with colorants and perfumes added)

...And here's what I recommend:
http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm#

[walterw]

Originally Posted by bongomania

This is probably true with lemon oil and other petroleum-based mineral oil and mineral spirits products. FWIW "Fret Doctor Bore Oil", which is what I use, advertises that their product (used occasionally) will actually deter fret lifting. It's a non-petroleum oil blend.

+1 to fret doctor, it's all i use now. part of my set up ritual is using naphtha and a bunch of paper towels to try and wick out as much "lemon" oil or other crap as i can. afterwards, the board will get an ugly ,grey look to it. then, when i use the fret doctor, it can actually soak in, and it does, leaving the wood looking dark and lovely. it's expensive, so i use it sparingly, but i can really tell a difference in how it leaves the wood.

Originally Posted by steverosati

Mineral oil is best, lemon oil tends to have a drying agent in it.

"lemon" oil, "rosewood" oil, and most other fretboard oils are apparently just mineral oil with fragrances, dyes, and solvents added. mineral oil is basically inert, and doesn't do anything for the wood except sort of sit on top of it. (the power companies submerge high-power transformers in it for cooling, as it's also electrically non-conductive.)

Originally Posted by bongomania

...And here's what I recommend:
http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm#

ok, +2

[ashtray9]

Howard's Feed & Wax is the best stuff I have ever used.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by bongomania

This is probably true with lemon oil and other petroleum-based mineral oil and mineral spirits products. FWIW "Fret Doctor Bore Oil", which is what I use, advertises that their product (used occasionally) will actually deter fret lifting. It's a non-petroleum oil blend.

Originally Posted by bongomania

http://www.tablesaver.com/furnituretips_table_pads.htm

...And here's what I recommend:
http://www.beafifer.com/boredoctor.htm#

Originally Posted by walterw

+1 to fret doctor, it's all i use now. part of my set up ritual is using naphtha and a bunch of paper towels to try and wick out as much "lemon" oil or other crap as i can. afterwards, the board will get an ugly ,grey look to it. then, when i use the fret doctor, it can actually soak in, and it does, leaving the wood looking dark and lovely. it's expensive, so i use it sparingly, but i can really tell a difference in how it leaves the wood.


"lemon" oil, "rosewood" oil, and most other fretboard oils are apparently just mineral oil with fragrances, dyes, and solvents added. mineral oil is basically inert, and doesn't do anything for the wood except sort of sit on top of it. (the power companies submerge high-power transformers in it for cooling, as it's also electrically non-conductive.)


ok, +2

Thanks! So what I'm using is nothing more than mineral oil with lemon scent. I'm gonna order some of that Fret Doctor, probably a 60ml vial and use it very sparingly. How is it applied? Can you just put a little on a rag and apply it evenly to the fretboard then scrub in? Also, should I use my "lemon oil" prior to applying the fret doctor?

[bongomania]

Actually the lemon oil and the bore oil are not compatible, so I would follow walterw's suggestion and use some naptha or other evaporating cleaner to clean the board well; then let it dry; then use the bore oil. To use the bore oil you just swab it on with a rag or cotton swab (just enough to cover the surface, no need to drench), let it sit for an hour, then wipe away any excess remaining on the surface.

[Ryan Mohr]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Actually the lemon oil and the bore oil are not compatible, so I would follow walterw's suggestion and use some naptha or other evaporating cleaner to clean the board well; then let it dry; then use the bore oil. To use the bore oil you just swab it on with a rag or cotton swab (just enough to cover the surface, no need to drench), let it sit for an hour, then wipe away any excess remaining on the surface.

I've already cleaned it twice in two months with lemon oil, and I wipe the strings after I play and I wash my hands prior to playing, so it's not the grime I'm concerned with. I just wanted to darken my board and make it look alive again.

Do you think the bore oil wouldn't work because I have used lemon oil on the board?

[stflbn]

Originally Posted by ashtray9

Howard's Feed & Wax is the best stuff I have ever used.

+1

I've been using Howards Feed n' Wax for a couple years now. Very happy with it. Put it on... leave it on say 20 mins or so. Wipe it off well and restring. I also use it on the natural stained Mahogany body of my Schecter Studio5.

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by ashtray9

Howard's Feed & Wax is the best stuff I have ever used.

Yup, this stuff is great. I've used it on a couple of oil finish basses with good results. Take a gander at what it did for a refin project I was working on: Refin Advice (not bass)