getting the white stuff out of the Rosewood grain

[titan7]

So any suggestions for getting the white stuff off the fretboard of my old charvels? I tried wood cleaner and then put fret doctor on but it did not help. I can get it out with a sharp toothpick but that would take years.

[toejam]

That happens when people spray Pledge or Endust furniture polish on there. I did it to my Dinky once... it took quite a long time for it to come out, but I used a guitar pick to scrape some of the gunk out, then lemon oil helped over time.

[rjohnstone]

Try some Scott's Liquid Gold.
Apply directly to the board then scrub and wipe off with a clean wash cloth.
And old soft bristle tooth brush does wonders as well.
The stuff breaks down old furniture polish very nicely.
Stinks like hell, but it really does a great job of cleaning wood.

I use it to de-gunk old fret boards.

[dg]

Maybe naptha & a toothbrush followed with a rag, but make sure to oil it right away because the naptha will dry it out.

[titan7]

thanks, I will try it.

[titan7]

So is naptha, zippo lighter fuel? Will it hurt the rosewood or poly finish?

[rjohnstone]

Start with the Scotts... naptha is nasty stuff.

[DonP]

So is naptha, zippo lighter fuel?

Yes.

Will it hurt the rosewood or poly finish?

No.

Recommended by Dan Erlewine.



The white stuff is wax. You need to melt or dissolve the wax to get rid of it. Then going forward, use Dr. Bore oil on the fretboard.

[dg]

The main cleaning ingredient in Scott's liquid gold is...

http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/safety/MSDS/SCOTT'S%20LIQUID%20GOLD.htm

It probably has something in it to help protect the moisture & condition the wood, but like most lemon oils on the market, there's naptha in there. It's a great solvent & it evaporates without leaving residue. Scott's or lemon oil both work nicely, especially if you want to be careful & not over-strip, but I like the uncut stuff when I have serious dirt or buildup, plus I have a gallon of it in the garage I need to use up.

[rjohnstone]

The main cleaning ingredient in Scott's liquid gold is...

http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/safety/MSDS/SCOTT'S%20LIQUID%20GOLD.htm

Yep... that's why I like to use it over pure naptha.
Won't dry out the wood and is great for regular cleaning.

[titan7]

Well, I got it completed, I used some Formby's buildup remover, recommended on the Fret Doctor site. It took about 1.5 hours of putting it on and using a toothbrush to get the wax build up out of the pores, then wiping it down. What a PITA! I just put a coat of Fret Doctor conditioner on the board and it looks very dark, : ) I am very happy with the result. Next string change I will clean her up again.

[Hellraiser6502]

I'm sorry if this sounds obvious...and no malicious intent here, but.

Just PLAY the fucking thing and stop dickin' around with waxing/oiling/polishing/brushing or whatever.

It's a guitar, not a coffee table.

[DonP]

Well, I got it completed, I used some Formby's buildup remover, recommended on the Fret Doctor site. It took about 1.5 hours of putting it on and using a toothbrush to get the wax build up out of the pores, then wiping it down. What a PITA! I just put a coat of Fret Doctor conditioner on the board and it looks very dark, : ) I am very happy with the result. Next string change I will clean her up again.

You, my friend, are a smart man!

[DonP]

I'm sorry if this sounds obvious...and no malicious intent here, but.

Just PLAY the fucking thing and stop dickin' around with waxing/oiling/polishing/brushing or whatever.

It's a guitar, not a coffee table.

I don't know. I don't see any harm in spending a few hours cleaning it up. It needs to be done only once, not like it's an everyday thing.

[Spivonious]

I cleaned and oiled my fretboard for the first time last year. What a difference! Hellraiser - it is worth the time and effort and it only has to be done when the fretboard is all gunky-looking, like every couple years.