Treatments for maple fingerboards?

**Crewood** · 06-02-2007, 07:34 AM

When I picked up my new MM Super Sport I was also sold a bottle of Dunlop 65 Lemon Oil to use on my fingerboard when it needed it.

Reading the instruction on the bottle it says: (Note: Not for use on maple fretboards.) Does this mean lacquered fingerboards like the Fenders or all maple boards?

Anyone any advice or opinions please?

Mike

**MingusBASS** · 06-02-2007, 08:15 AM

Get some Wonderwipes...they work great on maple.

**The Musicman** · 06-02-2007, 08:54 AM

So do you just wipe the fretboard over with the wipes ?? Are there any oils you can use to replenish the woods oils ?? like lemon oil on a rosewood fretboard.

**candid_x** · 06-02-2007, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Crewood

When I picked up my new MM Super Sport I was also sold a bottle of Dunlop 65 Lemon Oil to use on my fingerboard when it needed it.

Reading the instruction on the bottle it says: (Note: Not for use on maple fretboards.) Does this mean lacquered fingerboards like the Fenders or all maple boards?

Anyone any advice or opinions please?

Mike

Hi Mike,

I'd take it to mean any maple board.

Wonder Wipes for fret-boards can be used on rosewood or oil finished maple, front and back of the neck. Just don't leave it on maple long, as you would with rosewood. A quick cleaning and than wiping down with a dry cloth or paper towel is all that's needed.

**Crewood** · 06-02-2007, 10:17 AM

Hi Candid,

Yes, the EBMM fingerboard in particular, I collected my new SS and wnated something ready for the fingerboard when it was needed and I'm now a bit annoyed the dealer sent me out with the wrong product.

I use guitar polish on the F***** lacquered maple fingerboards.

Mike

**candid_x** · 06-02-2007, 10:40 AM

Real lemon oil works on MM maple boards too, if you have a hard time finding Wonder Wipes at present. Lemon does clean off oil and dirt from maple fairly well, and offers temporary protection to oil finished woods. Chances are, even the other stuff you bought won't hurt a MM maple neck. Yes, on finished necks, polish works, though I don't use polish in general. If you do find the board Wipes, though, give 'em a try. Good stuff.

**candid_x** · 06-02-2007, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by The Musicman

So do you just wipe the fretboard over with the wipes ?? Are there any oils you can use to replenish the woods oils ?? like lemon oil on a rosewood fretboard.

You don't need anything but the Wipes. It cleans and seals the wood, both. Yes, just wipe the board, frets, back of the neck, wipe down and buff with a dry cloth. I don't know, yet, how often it needs doing. Seems to last a pretty long time.

If a maple neck is very dried out and grungy, I'd still use the full Murphy Soap, Birchwood Casey oil and wax, though. Then use the Wipes after that.

**The Musicman** · 06-02-2007, 02:13 PM

Would pure linseed oil be ok ?

P.S Thanks for the help !

**candid_x** · 06-02-2007, 02:57 PM

Linseed and Tung oils are finishing oils, not altogether different from the Casey Gunstock oil, which MM uses to finish maple necks. So I would not use them for the purpose of cleaning or nourishing a neck in the same way you would use lemon oil or Wonder Wipes. In addition, Linseed oil takes very long to dry, unless it is "boiled" linseed oil.

I'd stick with Birchwood Casey oil/wax for refinishing, and Wonder Wipes or pure lemon oil for light cleaning MM necks or conditioning rosewood boards. WW works better and lasts longer than lemon oil.

**The Musicman** · 06-03-2007, 01:34 AM

Does anyone know where the best place to buy wonder wipes from in the UK ?

Thanks

**Tim O'Sullivan** · 06-03-2007, 05:24 AM

Originally Posted by The Musicman

Does anyone know where the best place to buy wonder wipes from in the UK ?

Thanks

Strings direct have them.

**The Musicman** · 06-03-2007, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Tim O'Sullivan

Strings direct have them.

I checked strings direct but they appear to have run out of the fretboard cleaning wipes. I have ordered some off ebay anyway !

Hopefully strings direct will have more stock next time i need some, i don't really want to have to rely on ebay all the time.

BTW: one last question about these wipes, how long do they last once you have opened them ?? Do they dry out quickly once you have opened the tub ?

Thanks !!

**candid_x** · 06-03-2007, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by The Musicman

BTW: one last question about these wipes, how long do they last once you have opened them ?? Do they dry out quickly once you have opened the tub ?

I can't say how long they last cuz I've only had mine a couple of weeks, but...

The dispenser design is effective, keeping the wipes inside well sealed. The board wipes are really saturated. I doubt they'll dry out, if the lid is snapped closed properly after each use.

The string wipes evaporate pretty quickly, though, so it's even more important to close the lid properly of these.

**Axilla** · 06-03-2007, 01:06 PM

Hi there,
I used to use "Dr. Kyser" LemOil for all of my fretboards (ebony, rosewood and maple) and it worked well.
I got hold of some of them Wonder Wipies lately at Mick's and am now using that stuff. Are equally great for fretboard AND the backside of the necks.
Completely satisfied here !