How to clean a maple board?

[tbonesullivan]

I tried lemon oil, even if there's warning on the label: "Don't use on maple fret boards"!

That is most likely referring to finished maple fretboards, which will get nothing from having lemon oil used on them. The majority of maple fretboard guitars these days are still finished with nitro or poly, as are the backs of most necks.

I know that Carvin recommends using lemon oil to clean the back of their tung oiled necks.

 

[BullHorn]

I actually have been using Dr. Duck's AxWax for years on my Fenders and when I emailed the guy at Dr. Duck's, he said it's great to use the AxWax on MusicMan instruments as well. Any info about that?

 

[tbonesullivan]

so, how often should one put new Tru-Oil and gunstock wax on the neck after a good murphy's oil soap and water cleaning?

I think the murphy's may be gentler than the glass cleaner, and it's also important to keep the neck oiled/waxed to help keep sweat from soaking in.

now, does anyone know if it's better to remove the whole neck when doing a thorough cleaning?

 

[keko]

now, does anyone know if it's better to remove the whole neck when doing a thorough cleaning?

Come on, ...for a regular cleaning/oiling/waxing there's really no need for neck disassemble!

Anyway, ...neck of my reflex is gonna be disassembled exactly today afternoon, ...but not just for a cleaning/sanding reason, ...it will be finally finished/protected properly!

Pics in about 10 days!

 

[Golem]

exactly, some instruments (not MM) require the whole
neck to be removed just to adjust the truss rod!

Ooooohh .... is THAT wht I was spozed to do insteada
routing the body and the PG ? Oh well. My solution is
waaaay much more convenient .... and if it pizzez off
a few F3nder purists, well thaz just bonus points !


`

 

[keko]

OK guys, ...first one important Warning:

Don't try this at home!

If You are a few bucks over, and You got professional custom guitar builder manufacture near the place You live, You can easily solve the problem of dirty maple board forever!

Here's the result on my EBMM reflex bass maple board after professional sanding and high gloss paint job:



One more warning: guitar builder must be real pro and he/she must have respect to the EBMM products!!!

 

[tbonesullivan]

Eh, I am not overly fond of finished maple boards. They just don't feel as good as the oiled boards, both on the back and the top.

 

[Jim C]

OK guys, ...first one important Warning:

Don't try this at home!

If You are a few bucks over, and You got professional custom guitar builder manufacture near the place You live, You can easily solve the problem of dirty maple board forever!

Here's the result on my EBMM reflex bass maple board after professional sanding and high gloss paint job:

One more warning: guitar builder must be real pro and he/she must have respect to the EBMM products!!!

I have ben biting my tongue...
I went to sell gear today and walked out with a used maple board SR.
The only thing I don't like is the lack of finish (love my 83' gloss finish neck)
I've painted cars and know my way around a spray gun.
What material did you use?
Lacquer would be easier for me than 2-part polyurethane although the 2K aerosol 2 part clears can give amazing results on motorcycle gas tanks.
Thoughts?

 

[tbonesullivan]

just remember that you'll need to get the oil and wax off before you think about finishing it. If you don't the finish may not stick.

What you could do is wash it with oil soap and water, and then put on a bunch of coats of tru-oil, giving a day to dry between each. I know that many people have been able to get a nice glossy finish using tru-oil.

 

[keko]

I have ben biting my tongue...
I went to sell gear today and walked out with a used maple board SR.
The only thing I don't like is the lack of finish (love my 83' gloss finish neck)
I've painted cars and know my way around a spray gun.
What material did you use?
Lacquer would be easier for me than 2-part polyurethane although the 2K aerosol 2 part clears can give amazing results on motorcycle gas tanks.
Thoughts?

I really don't know what material did use a guitar builder who did this paint job!

It's kind a professional secret, but only what I really know ...it was hell of a job, no fret removal and match perfect to high gloss finish of my reflex factory head stock paint job!

If You're really interested I could give Ya a link to FB page of the "master" who did this job, ...PM me, of course!

Cheers!

 

[Jim C]

Thank you for this.
I haven't owned this bass for 24 hours and realize I am over reacting although I really do love the gloss FB on my other SR.
Who knows, maybe one grows to love this finish after becoming accustomed to it.
The store I traded gear with had a total of 4 EB basses.
2 with rosewood boards and two with maple.
The other maple board looked horrible. It was caked with what looked like grease and spooge
Perhaps the previous owner was a dirt ball that didn't take care of his gear and that this surface might wipe clean.
Have never seen this on a maple board other than some old Fenders where the finish literally wore away and skin oil discolored the wood.
Funny, I never worried about this on the back side of the neck of my 60'P but the SR is super clean and shiny with shiny metal parts!

 

[tbonesullivan]

Even caked with dirt can be fixed. I have heard using a tooth brush along the grain with murphy's oil soap can work wonders. Several applications might get most of it off. then you'd just have to refinish it.

There are however unfortunately tons of trashed guitars and basses out there. Some people don't believe in maintaining their investment. These are the same people who never wash/wax their car, never vacuum it out, and let the paint crack and peel.

 

[ambrozy]

well bump... so 2 years go, masters of maple fb cleaning were here. anyone still out there? what would you do with this? and bear in mind, that I probably cannot acquire any wonder wipe or murphy stuff.. orange oil at best maybe, if that helps at all

 

[Tollywood]

Maybe a very gentle sanding with super fine sandpaper? Tape off the dots first and use a Sharpie to color in the missing dot.

I used to know a guy who used a Mr.Clean Magic Eraser on his fretboards, but I've never done that.

 

[ambrozy]

Maybe a very gentle sanding with super fine sandpaper? Tape off the dots first and use a Sharpie to color in the missing dot.

I used to know a guy who used a Mr.Clean Magic Eraser on his fretboards, but I've never done that.

Oh I know what you mean.. there is no missing dot, it's the flash on my phone I am a bit reluctant sanding it.

 

[Tollywood]

Oh I know what you mean.. there is no missing dot, it's the flash on my phone I am a bit reluctant sanding it.

haha - ooops - the magic dot. Yes, I'd be reluctant to sand it, too. Welcome to the forum, by the way.

 

[backagain1]

I used to know a guy who used a Mr.Clean Magic Eraser on his fretboards, but I've never done that.

Very interesting! I know the Mr.Clean Magic Eraser works great on removing tea and coffee stains from an old plastic coffee cup. I could see where it might clean up a very dirty fretboard.

 

[Tollywood]

Very interesting! I know the Mr.Clean Magic Eraser works great on removing tea and coffee stains from an old plastic coffee cup. I could see where it might clean up a very dirty fretboard.

It's true. Slav is a forum member here, but I haven't seen him post in quite a while. He would use it on his ebmm maple fretboards. I've never tried it.

 

[sanderhermans]

Why would you tape off the dots? They arent painted on or annything like that so better to sand them too so they are flush with the fb...

 

[pete bass]

I use rubbing alcohol to clean the board and then some "Skydd" oil from IKEA (Sparingly) whilst the strings are boiling in the pot !!.... and yes it works for Ernie Ball slinkys and DÁddario´s, Dont know about other types with cloth binding ??