• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Modulus Composite FB Cleaning

DRay521

DRay521

Supporting Member
Aug 2, 2007
542
471
Tuscaloosa, AL
#1
Hey everybody. I have a Modulus Quantum 5 fretless with some typical wear on the phenolic fingerboard. I'm wondering the best way to clean the grime off. Do you think maybe warm water, or possibly some rubbing alcohol? I also thought about combining the 2 and making a watered down alcohol solution, and using some cotton swabs to clean it. Just need some opinions. Thanks.

DRay
 
#4
Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I've got some WD-40 here at my house but no steel wool, and I need to clean the FB right now before I change my strings and play a gig in a little more than an hour. So how about some WD-40 with a cotton ball for now, and steel wool for the next string change when I have more time?
 
#6
Naphtha works good. So does Windex. So does alcohol. The resins in the fingerboard are impervious to just about anything. The resins are impervious to just about anything.

"Rubbing" alcohol is a term sometimes used for isopropyl alcohol. It is a mixture of denatured alcohol and water. Phenolic boards will stand up to it with no problem. Straight denatured alcohol will not have a negative effect on the fingerboard, either.

Oil is not a cleaning agent.

0000 steel wool is the abrasive of choice.
 
#8
DaveAceofBass said:
I was told not to use oil by Modulus--Anderson Page said it was not good for the composite material.
Click to expand...


As posted before, oil is not a cleaning agent. It is a poor solvent in most cases. Therefore it would be a poor choice to use to clean any fingerboard, not just phenolics.

WD 40 is not essentially an oil, though most people will use it as such. It does a poor job of lubrication when compared to other oils.
 
#9
Modulus told me they "run a bead of wd 40 down the neck and clean it off before they ship it out."

I dont think you really want it on your finish so spray it on a toothbrush first. You can put a trash bag around the body to protect it.

WD40 is a way better cleaner than it is a lubricating oil. As an auto technician for the past 10 years I have used it for many applications.

I agree it is more of a solvent than an oil, but besides water what cleaning agent wouldnt be considered a solvent?

I have used it to clean my Q5 phenolic fretboard. It worked well to remove the grime and gunk. I have not witnessed any adverse side effects and will continue to use it when I change my strings.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back