How to clean a maple board?

**MadMatt** · 03-10-2010, 07:13 AM

My fretboud looked as bad as the one above. I used 00 steel wool to do a deep clean on it and I was able to remove all the dicoloration. It dirtied up real fast so I put a little thought into preventive measures.

My play was to seal the pores of the fret side of the nex, leaving the back side open to breath. Since tung oil is not readily available here in Germany I decided to seal the board with an all natural beeswax based wax I've had good results with in the past. The thing I did not want to happen is get a build up. I only did this to the front, fretted side. The back is left uncoated.

After tapeing up the areas around the body, headstock and covers. I simply applied the wax with my finger and let it dry for an hour. I then buffed all excess wax off with steel wool. I repeated this 3 times with a final polish with a terry cloth towel. The result appears to have sealed the pores. I say appears as I've only been playing for a week after this treatment. The neck still looks as clean as the day I did it with whiping after each session so I think this is a good approach for those who can't find high quality tung oil or simply dont like the smell of it. I personaly Love the smell of Beeswax

The neck has a little more luster than previously with no buildup or sticky feeling.

I hope that helps

-M@

**PiTRiFF** · 03-12-2010, 09:23 AM

I just picked up a Stingray and the maple fretboard was filthy. I used the wonder wipes Fretboard Conditioner and spent a good amount of time on the fretboard and it looks amazing. Just be sure to wipe the neck down when you are done. Great Product!

**Bassmedic14** · 03-16-2010, 05:29 PM

Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes?

**Mr.Mow** · 10-20-2010, 09:57 PM

Sorry to Zombie this thread..

What can one use to clean a maple board when EB wonder wipes are not available? (no one here seems to stock em)..

A gentle application of lemon oil? (I'm talking small dab on paper towel and gentle wipe..)

**stoneboy26** · 10-20-2010, 10:26 PM

Mr.Mow - I've seen you on the Ozbass forum so am going to guess you are in Australia. Allans Music stocks them. You could also try Bass Centre or Bass People.

**Mr.Mow** · 10-20-2010, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by stoneboy26

Mr.Mow - I've seen you on the Ozbass forum so am going to guess you are in Australia. Allans Music stocks them. You could also try Bass Centre or Bass People.

Allans looked at me blankly.. 'umm.. dunlop makes some cleaners'.. 'no, ernie ball'.. ummmmm..

**stoneboy26** · 10-20-2010, 10:51 PM

Funny since they have them listed on their website!

Although, I shouldn't be surprised

**Mr.Mow** · 10-20-2010, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by stoneboy26

Funny since they have them listed on their website!

Although, I shouldn't be surprised

Have you seen the condition of the their stingrays? They have 3 in stock in their city store, have had them for about 2-3 years, the necks are nearly black with filth.. still they wont discount them!

I refuse to support their chain.. hopeless!

**Colin** · 10-20-2010, 11:27 PM

if you can't find them locally, let me know I have them

**cyoungnashville** · 10-21-2010, 06:51 AM

leave the dirt on.

**keko** · 10-21-2010, 07:56 AM

OK guys, I forgot to this Thread, now I'm ready to share my "secret" of gentle cleaning unfinished maple fret board and neck from behind too!

Use regular transparent window glass pump-spray cleaner, apply it by spraying to the rough clean white (uncolored) towel, than rub firmly dirty parts of the fret board!
All dirt will pass over to the towel!

Repeat several times, with clean part of the towel and for the last time rub the whole unfinished neck!

Leave a few hours to dry off!

When unfinished maple dry off, rub it firmly and juicy with EB Wonder Wipes, live it to dry off!

At the end, polish with soft uncolored (white) cotton cloth!

Warning: maple will never be "white" like when new, but it will shine in the whole new refreshed look!

P.S. ...if You are afraid to do this, well don't, but I made a great results with this method!

**Norm66** · 10-21-2010, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by cyoungnashville

leave the dirt on.

My plan exactly. At least until it starts coming off in clumps. Then I might do something.

**lefenton** · 10-21-2010, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by cyoungnashville

leave the dirt on.

Agreed. Helps keep the funk in, much like the pickup control stickers on a new Big Al or Reflex.

Anyone in Toronto know where the Wonder Wipes are sold? None of the chains appear to have them...

**dedmouse** · 10-21-2010, 10:38 AM

When I got my SR4 (used), the back of the neck was filthy and the fretboard wasn't much better...I used Murphy's Oil Soap on it, straight from the bottle (not diluted) and it cleaned up really nice...I wiped it as dry as I could and then let it dry completely for a few hours and then used gunstock wax on it...

Once it's clean, the best thing is to make sure that your hands are relatively clean before playing again...going straight from eating chicken wings to playing your bass with an unfinished maple neck isn't really advisable.