Fret Polishing

[jeff300]

I have a guitar where the frets are in good shape but they're extremely dull and starting to oxidize. Is there anything I can do myself to polish them up and not harm the fretboard?

[dannyr]

Re: Fret Polishing

Yes, all you need is some real fine steel wool(Like 0000). It will polish them up real nice. I use painters masking tape(blue) to protect the fretboard and it peels off real easy. Be sure to cover you pickups also, because the magnets will attract the steel wool particles. That's it, real easy.

[Subvamp]

Re: Fret Polishing

That's good advice. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I'll either use the steel wool, or Mother's Mag Polish..the stuff you use for shining up the chrome Cragar mags on a '73 HemiCuda. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
You can just wipe it on and wipe it off, without a lot of rubbing and buffing. It gives a brilliant shine, and the frets feel really slick.
Plus you'll have some leftover to polish your car.

[toejam]

Re: Fret Polishing

Lemon oil and a toothbrush.

[jeff300]

Re: Fret Polishing

Hmmm.... 3 totally different ideas.

Toe, I tried your suggestion and it didn't work too well.

Sub, will that polish remove the oxidation?

[jackson1]

Re: Fret Polishing

Not much to add here. I'm using 0000 steel wool and some kind of polish afterwards, like Mother's Mag Polish as mentioned. Remember to protect the fretboard with tape on each side of the fret. Steel wool rubbed against the wood grains is a bad combo. Same goes for a lacquered fret board.

[HoWheels]

Re: Fret Polishing

My Dunlop "guitar care" kit came with 500 grid sandpaper to polish the frets.

I've always just used Brasso (or equivelent) metal polish and a rag.

-a

[jackson1]

Re: Fret Polishing

Yeah, the Dunlop paper is ok if you're in a hurry

[fett]

Re: Fret Polishing

[ QUOTE ]
Lemon oil and a toothbrush.

[/ QUOTE ] No wonder my teeth are yellow. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Oh!!! I thought you said fett polishing. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[sully]

Re: Fret Polishing

got a hand buffer? you can get one @ the depot for about $20. highly recommended and i use it for a lotta stuff.

tape the board off and hit it with some fine cut rubbing compound. then wipe the mess off, then hit it again with a dry terry bonnet. welcome to liquid chromeville, population: you.

[sambencuda]

Re: Fret Polishing

[ QUOTE ]
got a hand buffer? you can get one @ the depot for about $20. highly recommended and i use it for a lotta stuff.

tape the board off and hit it with some fine cut rubbing compound. then wipe the mess off, then hit it again with a dry terry bonnet. welcome to liquid chromeville, population: you.

[/ QUOTE ]

+1

It's the way to go. I've also used a dremel with a mini buffing wheel.

[straycat]

Re: Fret Polishing

0000 steel wool works great.If the finger board is rosewood or lacqured maple tape the board off.Tape off the pickups too.If the board is ebony steel wool wont hurt it just don't press too hard.

[sambencuda]

Re: Fret Polishing

[ QUOTE ]
.If the board is ebony steel wool wont hurt it just don't press too hard.

[/ QUOTE ]

and make sure you go with the grain of the wood.

[RobRR]

Re: Fret Polishing

I use a small 6" orbital buffer with a wax type polish... they come out like a mirror! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[jeff300]

Re: Fret Polishing

Thanks for all the tips. I'm going to have a go at it tomorrow and we'll see how it goes.