Dunlop Cleaning Kit

[thefunkyone]

I'd like to clean up the fretboard on my TAG Classic. Was thinking of using the fretboard 65 Ultimate Lemon Oil. Does anyone have experience with using this product on their Andy's? Anything better out there?


I'm just looking to clean the gunk off and protect the rosewood.


For the body I plan on using Meguiars quick detail spray and a microfiber cloth.

[markus]

That's what I use on my Andersons (both the Dunlop Lemon Oil and the Meguiars detail spray). Both work real well as far as I can tell.

[chriswhite]

This comes straight from the Anderson website:


CLEANING THE GUITAR


One of the best products we have found for cleaning and shining an Anderson guitar is Quick Deailer from Meguiar's. It should be easy to find at any store that sells car care products.

Shake well. Lightly mist it on the body surface and wipe with a soft, 100% cotton cloth. Turn the cloth to expose a dry section and buff to a luster. If the guitar needs just a light touch up, Quick Detailer can be applied directly to the cloth itself, wiped over the guitar and buffed to a shine. You can also use Quick Detailer on the back of all the necks, plastics and sparingly on metal parts to inhibit corrosion.

For an unfinished fingerboard surface, (dark wood) apply lemon oil a few times a year. It can be found at most hardware stores. It cleans and nourishes the unfinished wood safely. Apply the lemon oil to a soft, 100% cotton cloth and wipe on a generous amount. Wait a few seconds and buff off all excess oil with a separate clean, soft cloth.

Solid maple necks (all light colored wood) have a finished fingerboard surface and Quick Detailer is recommended for the entire neck, including the fingerboard area.

Always follow manufacture's precautions for safe usage.

[Ray K.]

I suppose everyone has their own formula...so here's mine. :)

For cleaning my Rosewood fretboards, I prefer Naptha. You can buy it in larger containers or Ronsonol Lighter Fluid which is primarily Naptha. A little goes a long way, so it should last a good while.

Tom turned me on to Viva paper towels for cleaning and polishing my guitars.

After I have cleaned my fretboard, I will use Lemon Oil. This is to keep it from drying out and potentially cracking. Seems to make them play faster, but could be all in my head instead of my fingers.

I don't like to overdo the Lemon Oil. It depends on the climate in your area and where you store your guitars. But, for me, once a year at most is all that is needed.

Hope this helps.

Ray K.

[Pietro]

I've used a number of products for oiling fingerboards.

Fret Doctor is THE BEST for fingerboards.

I don't actually use anything but hot breath and microfiber cloths on the guitars.

[Ray K.]

I'm just looking to clean the gunk off and protect the rosewood.
I guess I got hung up on the original question about how to clean the fretboard, not necessarily how to condition it (lemon oil, etc).

Sorry if I misunderstood... :o

Thanks,
Ray K.

[Devnor]

Sometimes I feel the acids in the lemon oil are etching nickel frets. Pulled a bass out the other night I totally cleaned & polished but the frets already turned gray.

[tom]

darn that ancient nickel alloy.

[thefunkyone]

I guess I got hung up on the original question about how to clean the fretboard, not necessarily how to condition it (lemon oil, etc).

Sorry if I misunderstood... :o

Thanks,
Ray K.



No worries. I wasn't very clear in my post.

[thefunkyone]

I've used a number of products for oiling fingerboards.

Fret Doctor is THE BEST for fingerboards.

I don't actually use anything but hot breath and microfiber cloths on the guitars.



I might look into that as well then.

[Casper]

I bought a Dunlop 65 kit years ago and am still using the fretboard cleaner and the conditioner. For once a year treatment it is fine. I also use Zep detail spray (basically the same as McGuiars quick detailer). I must say though..the McGuiar/Fender Color Restorer is awesome as a wax after using the GHS guitar polish...Shines like new money...

[thefunkyone]

I bought a Dunlop 65 kit years ago and am still using the fretboard cleaner and the conditioner. For once a year treatment it is fine. I also use Zep detail spray (basically the same as McGuiars quick detailer). I must say though..the McGuiar/Fender Color Restorer is awesome as a wax after using the GHS guitar polish...Shines like new money...


Cool.


Its good to hear others have had success with the Dunlop kit and it wont hurt anything.

[mdrs]

darn that ancient nickel alloy.

Damn cavemen!!! :D

[thefunkyone]

Well I just got back from the store and cleaned up the anderson. The only way GC sells the Dunlop 65 Lemon Oil stuff is in the kit and I got to thinking all I really need is the lemon oil since I already have the detail spray. I ended up buying some stuff called Dr. Stringfellow Lem-Oil Fretboard Conditioner.


The fretboard looks great and is now grime free.


:D

[mdrs]

A good friend, who is an experienced set up guy, uses #4 steel wool to lightly buff and clean up a soiled fretboard. He then applies Roche-Thomas Fretboard oil to condition a rosewood fretboard.

Here's a description, and some photos of the technique Dave uses;

http://www.thestringnetwork.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3065&p=41030&hilit=gibson+es+125+dave+smith#p41030

While I've got some #4 steel woll, I've not used it in this way yet. I have, however, used the Roche-Thomas fretboard oil and a cotton tee shirt to clean and condition a couple of rosewood fretboards. It's pretty amazing how much "dirt" comes off just rubbing the oil in with a cotton cloth!!

[tom]

careful not to hit the frets with that steel wool! you'll scratch up the beautiful frets.

[dannopelli]

While I've got some #4 steel woll, I've not used it in this way yet. I have, however, used ... and a cotton tee shirt to clean and condition a couple of rosewood fretboards!

Yeah, but those stains show through so much when you wear that t shirt under a dress shirt...

I use GHS guitar polish to clean heavy grime from the guitar. Then I use this old Gibson aerosol polish that I believe is illegal now. Like Don I use a cotton T shirt to clean off the fretboard, then use some Gibson fretboard conditioner that I believe is lemon oil. It has about an ounce in the bottle and I have had it for three years. And I have about 14 guitars with rosewood fretboards!

[mdrs]

careful not to hit the frets with that steel wool! you'll scratch up the beautiful frets.

This would go for both regular frets, and stainless steel frets, right Tom?

Another question; I watched my friend use the #4 steel wool on the Braz rosewood of an old ES-125 I'd found. I was pretty surprised to see him run the steel wool against the grain of the wood!! I'd always thought that sanding against the grain is a big no no. While it left no visible marks, and the board looked stellar after the fretboard oil was applied, I'd wondered if this is a good practice???

[tom]

steel wool with scratch nickel and stainless. it's the 3rd to the last step in ou fret job.
i would not rub across the grain.

[mdrs]

Thanks, Tom.