Zippo fluid to clean poly satin maple fretboard?

R0VER · #1 11-30-2011, 10:15 PM

I need to clean my maple fretboard/frets (It's got a poly-satin finish on it). Have searched around the forum but see some conflicting advise. Is it okay to use zippo fluid to get the job done without damaging the wood or finish?

Thanks

**SamanthaCay** · #2 11-30-2011, 10:22 PM

The stuff I use is Ronsonol lighter fuel, it works great and won't harm a poly finish.

R0VER · #3 11-30-2011, 11:41 PM

Is there any reason in specific why you don't use zippo fluid? I don't think ronsonol's available where I live...

lowfreq33 · #4 11-30-2011, 11:46 PM

Ronsonol is cheaper.

And it should be fine on a poly finish, any other finish I wouldn't do it.

BUT don't just squirt it on the neck. Apply a small amount to a cloth. Pouring it on the neck it could potentially get under the frets and cause them to back out of the slot.

Slowgypsy · #5 12-01-2011, 04:02 AM

Ronsonol, Zippo fluid, lighter fluid.... it's all Naptha based. Really mild solvent that when gently applied on a soft cloth is suitable for just about any finish used on musical instruments.

R0VER · #6 12-01-2011, 04:43 AM

Great stuff. I shall get home and finally clean my fretboard in that case.. Thanks folks!

walterw · #7 12-01-2011, 09:40 PM

i'd stick with actual straight naphtha from the hardware store; the lighter fluid is laced with oils and stuff for smoother burning.

frianbisher · #8 12-02-2011, 09:44 AM

In theory naaptha should work just fine but be careful. I heard a horror story from another tech that was using naptha on a bc rich with a satin finish and it turned the finish shiny. I might be tempted to just use Dunlop 65 or music nomad guitar polish(which also shines up your frets...best polish ever!)

202dy · #9 12-02-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frianbisher

In theory naaptha should work just fine but be careful. I heard a horror story from another tech that was using naptha on a bc rich with a satin finish and it turned the finish shiny. I might be tempted to just use Dunlop 65 or music nomad guitar polish(which also shines up your frets...best polish ever!)

Satin finishes have additives to eliminate sheen. The naphtha would have penetrate the finish and lift these chemicals from the finish. Rubbing out satin finish with abrasives and polishing brings marginal sheen at best. It is more likely that the finish in this report was a very dirty or abraded high sheen finish that had the gunk removed and was rubbed to, or near to, the original sheen.

Walter is correct about lighter fluid. Besides, it is expensive. Naphtha is four or five dollars a quart. Lighter fluid costs two to five times as much.