| Cleaning the guitar |
Wargasm
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Hi! I'm new to this forum and this is my first thread.
I need some advice on cleaning my guitar. I've had it for a year now and i'm starting to notice some "dirt"(?) on the guitar neck... i can scratch it off with my nails but that's probably not a good idea. Is there a good way to clean the guitar neck without damaging it?
Thank you!
| Post Date: 11/1/2009 @ 9:20 am |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
IbanezRule
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There's loads of 'treatment' for your fretboard some people use fast fret but i think the best treatment is some dunlop Lemon Oil Sometimes i get dirt that i have to scrape off with a flat screwdriver not a good idea what wood is your fretboard?
SHREDIT:do you mean the back of the neck or the fretboard if its the back of the neck.
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Gear:
Vox VT30 
Westfeild Les Paul E400 
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| Post Date: 11/1/2009 @ 10:26 am |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
Julia_343
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fret board or back of the neck.
Fretboard ==> Lemon Oil and a toothbrush and finish with a microfiber cloth.
back of the neck == Pledge.
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--- Julia
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| Post Date: 11/1/2009 @ 1:18 pm |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
dspellman
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Pledge is good. Naptha also works (fretboard *and* back of the neck) if you've got some hard-to-clean stuff. Naptha is the same as lighter fluid (not butane, obviously)...
If you use naptha, follow up with the pledge and/or lemon oil (buy the cheap lemon oil stuff that they use on furniture, not the kitchen product used for flavoring) as suggested in Julia's post.
| Post Date: 11/1/2009 @ 1:22 pm |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
Wargasm
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I meant the fretboard. I'm gonna go with the lemon oil, toothbrush and microfiber cloth advice... seems like the best way. Also: do i need to take the strings out before i do this?
| Post Date: 11/2/2009 @ 2:49 am |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
Julia_343
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Removing the strings probably would be a good idea or loosen them sufficiently to where you can pull them over the edge.
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--- Julia
How about a Costa Rican flag?
| Post Date: 11/2/2009 @ 3:10 am |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
bertie
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if its a maple board DONT use any cleaner/oil as its treated.
For the crud removal - use a stiff toothrush, or if its particularly ground in - one of those nylon scouring pads for non-stick pans.
I use simple boiled linseed for my hardwood boards
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Frank says....................
Heres some of my dads pickin' and stuff
Mrs Berts Bits
| Post Date: 11/2/2009 @ 5:20 am |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
Thesam120
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Naptha then use a lighter. It won't clean your guitar by any means but it'll look friggin cool! Nah I just use some lemon oil and a tooth brush like Julia said.
I once broke a G string fingering A minor.
| Post Date: 11/2/2009 @ 11:57 am |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
hummingbird68
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I second the lemon oil technique - it not only cleans the fret board, it also moisturizes it and keeps it from drying out. I also use lemon oil for the rest of the guitar. It takes a little bit of work because you have to work hard to make sure you've wiped it off, but it leaves the guitar looking great - and like a car that's been cleaned, it just seems to "run" better.
I've heard of /used all kinds of other methods as well - from premium car polish to Johnson's Liquid Gold to plain old water and a cloth.
Hope this helps.
chris -
Findaguitarteacher.com
| Post Date: 11/2/2009 @ 11:53 pm |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
dspellman
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bertie said:
I use simple boiled linseed for my hardwood boards
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Bob Taylor (Taylor guitars) was asked about using linseed oil for fretboards and said, basically, that it was fine. But he also said, "Use it once, let it fully dry, and then don't use it again for three years. Apply it again and then don't use it again for another 10 years."
| Post Date: 11/3/2009 @ 9:29 am |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
Chuck King
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I would advise against using oil on a guitar anywhere except on bare wood. If you have a crack or chip in your finish, the oil can get in and discolor the wood under the finish. That will only really be a problem with transparent finishes, but there are other better cleaners and polishes to use on finished surfaces anyway.
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"As far as tubes go, I dub you the anti-Julia.  " --Zug-guitar
| Post Date: 11/3/2009 @ 2:41 pm |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
Julia_343
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I want to amend my fretboard cleaning technique. I used it today on a fretboard (my Epiphone) that was turning my fingers black. Rosewood fingerboard. New guitar. I looked really close and it looked like there was some kind of coating on the board (probably coal particulates from China), or it was applied to protect the wood during shipping. So it's gone now.
Do not try this at home. I used pentane (this is a very light parafin just a tad heavier than butane that I took from a refinery lab about 20 years ago -- still had some) as the first go round and I was absolutely amazed at the crud that came off with just a microfiber cloth. I put it on the cloth not the board. Still it kept coming off, so I switched to my favorite nail polish remover -- acetone and used the same technique. Even more crud came off. Note - this only does the surface, and does not soak in because it is too volitile. The cloth was black after I got done.
I reoiled the board and funny, my fingers don't turn black anymore. Oh, and don't smoke while you're doing this....
Linseed oil can go rancid -- that's that fishy smell it has sometimes. I'll stick with Old English.
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--- Julia
How about a Costa Rican flag?
| Post Date: 11/5/2009 @ 1:50 am |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
jap strat sq
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alcohol is fine to use on your guitar just make sure if you use it on rosewood fretboards you treat it with lemon oil the alcohol will dry out the wood im interested in the linseed oil idea never tryed it ive used it on plenty of antique furniture never thought it would be ok for guitars?
| Post Date: 11/8/2009 @ 4:54 am |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
Julia_343
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A woodworking friend of mine called the gunk I found on the rosewood pretty common. It's called "ebonizing". It's taking a less expensive lighter color rosewood and darkening it. It is a little lighter in color now. I guess i stripped the ebonizing material off of it. Yeah, I re-oiled it afterward. Not to worry.
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--- Julia
How about a Costa Rican flag?
| Post Date: 11/8/2009 @ 1:42 pm |
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RE: Cleaning the guitar |
Wargasm
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Any idea where i can get the lemon oil and the microfiber cloth? A gas pump or something?
| Post Date: 11/9/2009 @ 3:47 am |
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