Your guitar is one of your best friends – you take it with you everywhere, sleep with it in your arms, and it’s always there when you need it. So when it starts to get a little dirty, it’s only natural that you want to clean it up and make it look as good as new. Here’s how to clean your guitar’s fretboard and make it shine. The first step is to remove all the strings from your guitar. This will make it easier to access the fretboard and clean it properly. Once the strings are off, use a soft cloth to wipe down the fretboard. Be sure to get in all the nooks and crannies, and don’t forget the area around the nut. Next, you’ll need to use a mild cleanser to remove any built-up grime. You can use a mild soap or detergent, or you can buy a guitar-specific cleanser from your local music store. Apply the cleanser to a soft cloth and wipe down the fretboard, being careful not to get any on the finish of your guitar. Once the fretboard is clean, it’s time to condition it. This will help to protect the wood and keep it from drying out. There are a number of different products available for conditioning guitar fretboards, so choose one that’s right for your guitar. Apply the conditioner to a soft cloth and wipe it over the fretboard, being sure to cover all the surfaces. Finally, re-string your guitar and enjoy playing it with a clean, fresh-looking fretboard.
This method should never be used on glossy (shiny) fretboards. It can only be used on natural, satin, or unfinished fretboards. Please see the section titled “If You Have a Glossy Fretboard” at the end of this post if your fretboard is glossy. Remove all of your guitar’s strings and apply low-tack masking tape to the critical parts. When using a floating tremolo, I like to block it first by placing a soft surface beneath. Steel wool will shine well on frets without requiring you to be extra careful during this procedure. Because guitar pickers are magnetic, I taped them to keep steel wool filings from sticking to them.
Low tack masking tape is beneficial in this situation because it prevents the finish from rubbing off after we remove the guitar. Before you can get rid of the mess, you’ll need to vacuum it all up, so grab a vacuum and carefully suck it all up. After using #0000 steel wool between all frets, rub them together again. The best grade available is one that will not scratch the wood. When you rub crosswise, the marks on the fretboard will appear. It also removes some of the color and surface-moisture from the wood due to the steel wool’s ability to work well in this process, but don’t fret; we’ll show you how to do it in the next section. You can vacuum or blow out steel wool filing.
Tape must be removed from the guitar in a careful manner. After that, we’re left with a very clean but very dry-looking fretboard that is light-colored or light-washed. The disadvantage is that it reduces the color depth of the wood surface. I use fretboard oil after cleaning it to restore the appearance of the wood, and owners appreciate it. When applying the oil to the wood, you don’t need to rub it hard – you’re simply applying it in the appropriate direction. If the fretboard is shiny, not soaked, it is ideal. Then, clean the fretboard with a small amount of oil, wipe it down, and repeat.
If there is a need, apply and remove one more coat of oil. Marinating the wood is not your goal. It should now look and feel good bent on. Because your fingers naturally transfer oils to the strings, you will be able to play your guitar for a longer period of time. Please be aware that I do not have a demo of the glossy version yet. You can easily clean a glossy fretboard with a damp cloth and elbow grease if the gloss is still completely intact (no cracks or scratches have yet been visible). After you’ve removed all the gunk, you can finish it off with a good guitar polish.
When using a lightly dampened rag to dampen your fingerboard, you can generally rely on it to be safe. When the fingerboard is wet, you may have problems, particularly in the fret slots where any swelling or soften wood may cause loose or popped frets.
Should You Clean Your Guitar Fretboard?
The amount of oil you need to apply is limited; you can simply put a cloth on top of the oil (not too much, just a little), then wipe your fretboard with a damp cloth. You can keep your fretboard in good condition for many years to come by doing this: a quick, dry wipe for fingerprints and oils, followed by a deep clean every six months to moisturize.
When your fingerboard is dirty, your technique will suffer and your tone will suffer. If you need to use it after you’ve finished playing, simply run a soft, clean, dry rag over the strings. When it comes to string cleaning, consider using a dedicated string cleaner such as Planet Waves XLR8 String Lubricant Cleaner or Fast Fret. If the grime on your fingerboard is still clinging to your fretboard, a good damp cloth and a generous dose of elbow grease may be all you need to remove it. Dirt will accumulate on the frets and fretjoint’s edges frequently. You should be able to get to this spot with a toothpick or cotton wool bud. If the fingerboard is too dry, shrinkage can occur.
Soft wire wool is frequently used to give your frets a shine. Planet Waves manufacture their own fret polishing cloth that I personally use (see sidebar). Some luthiers will use the 0000 wire wool to clean a Rosewood fingerboard. It is possible that only a lightly damp, (not sopping clean) rag and elbow grease will be required to remove the dirt. If your dirt is a little more stubborn, you can use a soft, dry, dry rag. Dan Erlewine, the world’s most famous fingerboard repairman, recommends that you use lighter fluid (naptha) on your fingerboard. If you intend to play with 0000 wire wool, it is always best to ensure that the wool does not come into contact with your maple fingerboard. To avoid this, use a template (such as the Planet Waves Fret Polishing System) or a low-tack masking tape to mask off the frets. I recommend using the Gorgomyte Cleaning cloth if you are concerned that all of this may be too much work.
Why You Should Oil Your Guitar’s Fretboard
This is why I’m writing *br *. Sweat, oil, and water can seep through the surface of an unsealed fretboard and into the wood beneath because the wood is porous. As a result, the fretboard can dry out, crack, and even split over time. In addition to applying a thin layer of oil to the fretboard every few months, you can help to prevent these problems and keep your guitar sounding its best. A little oil can also help prevent fret buzz, which is the “ping” or “buzzing” that occurs when you fret a string.
How To Clean Guitar Fretboard Without Oil
To clean your guitar fretboard without using oil, you will need to use a slightly damp cloth. You will want to avoid using any type of harsh chemicals or cleaners on your fretboard as this can damage the finish. Gently wipe down the fretboard with the damp cloth, taking care to remove any dirt or grime that has built up. Once you have cleaned the fretboard, you will want to dry it off with a clean, dry cloth.
How do I clean an acoustic guitar fretboard? When you pick up a guitar and put it down, the body will often appear to have finger marks. The fretboard, on the other hand, is the dirtiest part of the instrument. fretboards are made of three wood types, each with its own distinct character, and the type of wood you select can have a significant impact on the durability of your fretboard. Depending on the type of fretboard you have, the cleaning solution you use may be different. Before cleaning your fretboard with household products, it’s a good idea to find out what wood it is made of. It is best to use water to clean your guitar for a few minutes, but if it is excessively dirty, it may not suffice.
Because lemon oil is an excellent way to restore the natural oils on unfinished fretboards, you should be able to use it on unfinished fretboards at the same time as you clean them. Although distilled vinegar can be used safely and in small amounts, full-strength vinegar cannot. The Martin Guitars recommend that you not use lemon oil on their guitars. Acetone is an excellent aid in removing sticky residue from the guitar body, but it can also damage frets due to its abrasive nature. If you’re stuck, you might be able to use acetone distilled in water, but it should not be used. Sandpaper is made for a specific purpose. Rough wood is to be avoided.
When you use it on your fretboard, you’ll end up burning away the wood. Anhydrous ammonia and isopropyl alcohol can be toxic household cleaners. Even if you play frequently, never wash your hands, and only clean your frets between restringings, you can safely clean your frets between restringings. Most of these household items do not last very long, so I’d recommend storing them in tightly sealed bottles as part of your guitar kit.
Fretboard Cleaner Alternatives
There are many different fretboard cleaners on the market, but some people prefer to use alternatives. One popular alternative is to use a toothbrush and some soapy water. Another is to use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cloth. Whichever method you use, be sure to clean all of the nooks and crannies on your fretboard to avoid buildup.
Peter Williams is a graduate of B.A Arts and Culture from the University of Technology Sydney. Peter is very much interested in cultural practices around the world including music, history, languages, literature, religion and social structures.