Lemon oil for maple fretboard?

[perlan]

Hi.

I need to clean my Axis neck and looked through the F.A.Q where it says Lemon Oil is recommended.
I went to my local music shop and bought Dunlop Ultimate Lemon Oil 65:
http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?page=products/pip&id=222&pmh=products/maintenance
but on the bottle it says:
Note: not for use on maple fingerboards.
Can I use it anyway?

/Perlan

 

[CudBucket]

I think the issue they're talking about is that some maple boards have a finish on them like some strats. The oil could attack a clear finish coat. For unfinished maple necks, have at it.

 

[tommyindelaware]

i thought y'all used murphy's soap to clean.....
seems to me lemon oil used alot would darken the maple. i don't know though.....cause i NEVER oil maple.only rosewood........& even w/ rosewood.......i only use it once a year or 2.

 

[jamminjim]

re:lemon oil

I used murphys oil soap diluted 3 to 1 on a wrung-out cloth to clean my maple board, let it dry then wiped it with lemon oil, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then buffed it dry and it came out nice n clean.

 

[hbucker]

Murphy's is great. I use it undiluted with a soft bristle toothbrush. Wipe it off. Then use a soft bristle brush with lemon oil.

Yellow Lemon oil will tend to darken the fretboard over time. There are makers of lemon oil that don't put color in it so it is clear. This is the ideal lemon oil to use. I've used the yellow lemon oil for years and my necks are showing some signs of darkening. But not too bad.

For my next bottle of lemon oil I will look for clear oil.

 

[CudBucket]

I use Weiman's. It's pretty clear. Not completely but almost.

 

[GHWelles]

Lemon Oil

I am glad to see a post on Lemon Oil. It should be made a sticky.

If you want a clear, odorless maintenance oil (like lemon oil without scent or solvents) I used to like this stuff:

http://www.lehmans.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1866&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1,2,670,701,702

But nowadays I just keep the guitar clean and try not to oil it at all. It seems like too much oil can get into the wood and dampen the tone.

Or maybe it is my imagination....

 

[Spudmurphy]

A buddy of mine used baby oil on his ..........
guitars !!!

 

[Hutch4545]

If baby oil is not available, a light coat of WD-40 or some Quaker State 10W30 should do the trick...

NOT!

 

[candid_x]

“Real” lemon oil works well on my Axis maple board. It’s not used the same as on rosewood, in that you’re not feeding the wood, just using a little to clean the maple neck, both front and back. But like Wonder Dog said, too much oil isn’t good on maple, as it can build up, making a nice soft gloss, but also feeling waxy.

What should be steered clear of are products that say “lemon oil” but are mostly petroleum distillates – kerosene. That makes up 99% of the ‘lemon’ oil we commonly see. Gourmet cooking websites will carry the good stuff.

My son works at a spice distributor, and I asked him first if he could get real lemon oil. He sent a small bottle out to me. Upon doing some research on the chemical reference numbers, it turned out to be about 7% lemon oil. But the 100% stuff is out there, and it works well if used sparsely.

Bruce

 

[GHWelles]

What should be steered clear of are products that say “lemon oil” but are mostly petroleum distillates – kerosene. That makes up 99% of the ‘lemon’ oil we commonly see. Gourmet cooking websites will carry the good stuff.
Bruce

Right, which is why I like the food grade mineral oil.