Polishing Frets?

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Could someone please tell me an easy method of polishing frets on my 6 string guitar? I have a Dremel if needed,thanks Stu Winking

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Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

Mark Carlisle · From: Springville CA

Stu,when I was working 4 nights a week playing jazz on my John Pisano archtop, every other string change (every two weeks) I would do this:

1. Remove all strings
2. Get a pad of post-it notes.
3. Find a product called "Never-Dull" It's a wadding type material that has a polish in it.If the local hardware store doesn't have it a marine supply place will.
4. Use the post-it notes to cover the fretboard between the frets. Just run the edges of the post- its up against both sides of the fret.
5. Apply the Never-Dull, let it sit for a few moments, then use the buff (cloth) wheel on the Dremel to shine up.

Avoid getting the Never-Dull on the fretboard, the post its will stay sticky for a few frets, just use new ones when they don't stick any more. This worked great for me, I'm sure there are other ways to do it, too. If you have grunge on the fretboard lighter fluid works to remove, however it does dry the board out.

Bob Tuttle · From: Republic, MO 65738

With the strings off, use some superfine 0000 steel wool. Run the steel wool lengthwise and polish the frets and clean the fretboard all at once. Wipe it off with a clean, soft dry cloth and you're good to go.

Rick Batey · Posted 26 May 2010 2:50 pm

My own way of polishing fret tops is to wrap a six-inch flat smooth file in a single layer of old cotton T-shirt. (If you don't have a very smooth file, a suitable piece of wood is better). Run a thin bead of metal polish right along the cloth (I use Autosol), rub the polish into the cloth with a fingertip and then, while gripping the tightly cloth-wrapped file from above with both hands, polish several frets at once, moving from side to side (the direction of a string-bend). It's a fast method. You don't even need to mask off the fingerboard.

I'm personally not a fan of steel wool for this job.

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

I use a flexible shaft Dremel tool with a cotton buffing wheel and Mothers mag polish. I protect the fretboard with masking tape as it is a little messy. I use very light pressure and they shine like a mirror when I finished.
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Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Brasso, strings off, With many a duster.
If neck is rosewood, lay some linseed oil on it overnight wipe clean next day, do er again next year!
Don't use air tools/dremel tools etc, do it by hand, takes 30 minutes to do 22 frets!
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A.K.A Chappy.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Thanks to all,Stu Winking

_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

Walter Bowden · From: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

I've used bronze wool (available at hardware stores) on my electrics so the the loose fibers don't get attracted to and stuck on the pickups.
I also use blue painter's masking tape to cover the fretboard. It takes a little bit of time but dressing the frets shouldn't be rushed.
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Emmons S10, p/p, Nashville 112, Zion 50 tele style guitar, Gibson LP Classic w/Vox AC30, Fender Deluxe De Ville and a Rawdon-Hall classical

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

I use the tiny grey (medium) and white (fine) polishing wheels available for the Dremel, on a flexible shaft. The polishing wheels can be shaped with a round needle file to match the fret contours perfectly. Cover the fretboard and keep a steady hand, and they will shine like never before.

(I get mine from Stew-Mac, but I bet they are available in any hardware store that carries Dremels.)

Shorty Rogers · Posted 27 May 2010 11:19 am

There is a good article in the June issue of Acoustic Guitarmagazine by luthier Rick Turner. If you were closer, I'd suggest that you send it to Joe Glazer in Nashville and get it on the Plek machine. I think there is one in San Fransisco, but not sure which store has it. Every player I have talked to in Nashville that has had a Plek fret dressing swears it is truly an unimagined difference.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Shorty,Thanks for the info,I've heard about the Plek machine,I think that I might have met Rick Turner at Alembic in 1977?
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

Shorty Rogers · Posted 27 May 2010 11:42 am

That sounds right for Turner. Stu, been meaning to ask you if you ever played a steady gig in Springfield, OR on bass? Believe it was the Woodsman Tavern on the east edge of town. Singer was Joe Prine and Doug Jones was on steel on the week end nights.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

My guitar thanks each and every one of you,Mission accomplished. Very Happy

_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

Jerry Erickson · From: Atlanta,IL 61723

If you're ordering stuff from Stewart-MacDonald, these things work great for polishing frets. The micro finishing papers work great as well.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Polishing_and_abrasives/Micro-Mesh_Touch_Up_Stick.html

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