Question about Murphy's Oil Soap vs Gunstock Tru-oil

[Defender2000]

I agree with drkev! Don't over do it with the oil or wax. A little goes a long way and you can always do a second treatment. Too much and you'll have a mess!

I know we all have expensive instruments, but I think the real key here is not to be afraid to try something new. In my experience, it would be really tough to destroy a neck doing the oil/wax treatment. It can make a mess if you use too much. But it won't ruin the neck. A lot of people are even afraid to mess with the truss rod on such an expensive instrument. But I think ebmm guitars are a great learning platform to learn how to do setups. The manufacturing tolerances are so tight and they really make it easy to make adjustments. The only way to learn is to just do it and see what happens. The Internet is a beautiful thing! It's an endless resource to learn!

Don't be afraid about using the steel wool. It works great. It's so soft and fine it really smooths out the neck. Just try it and you'll see what I'm talking about.

As for body cleaning and polishing, I don't use any dedicated guitar polishes or cleaners. I use Meguiars car care products believe it or not. The finish on a guitar is very similar to a modern day car finish. I use quick detailer spray with a clean microfiber cloth to do the cleaning and initial polishing. Then I use number 7 polish to really make a mirror like reflection and then finish it off with one of their many high quality waxes. It looks fantastic when I'm finished! It doesn't harm the finish at all and it looks a million times better than any spray bottle guitar polish.

I know my methods arent the traditional way to do things. I really should start a new thread and show pictures of my process. I've never had any problems and I get fantastic results!

 

[Defender2000]

Another thing too is that I think the wonder wipes are great product for light in-between cleanings to help maintain the neck and fretboard. But there's still nothing like giving our beloved instruments the full love they deserve. Don't be afraid to go to town and give it the full proper treatment.

The only difference is rosewood. I'll use lemon oil instead of tru oil and wax. The lemon oil I use isn't anything fancy. Just regular old English lemon oil(the liquid in the bottle, not the aerosol!!). I still get great results with no problem.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Nice thread. Just be careful that you don't put too much lemon oil on the fretboard - it really isn't good to do that as it could cause problems with the frets.

 

[Tanax]

The only thing I would add to the above is not to use too much oil or wax when applying. Just a dab on a paper towel is enough, then a thorough wipe down with fresh paper towels. Remember, you can always do a second pass if you need to and anyone who ever had a problem applied a lot.

Yes, I watched the video from EBMM and they really don't use much so I'll start out small

I agree with drkev! Don't over do it with the oil or wax. A little goes a long way and you can always do a second treatment. Too much and you'll have a mess!

I know we all have expensive instruments, but I think the real key here is not to be afraid to try something new. In my experience, it would be really tough to destroy a neck doing the oil/wax treatment. It can make a mess if you use too much. But it won't ruin the neck. A lot of people are even afraid to mess with the truss rod on such an expensive instrument. But I think ebmm guitars are a great learning platform to learn how to do setups. The manufacturing tolerances are so tight and they really make it easy to make adjustments. The only way to learn is to just do it and see what happens. The Internet is a beautiful thing! It's an endless resource to learn!

Don't be afraid about using the steel wool. It works great. It's so soft and fine it really smooths out the neck. Just try it and you'll see what I'm talking about.

As for body cleaning and polishing, I don't use any dedicated guitar polishes or cleaners. I use Meguiars car care products believe it or not. The finish on a guitar is very similar to a modern day car finish. I use quick detailer spray with a clean microfiber cloth to do the cleaning and initial polishing. Then I use number 7 polish to really make a mirror like reflection and then finish it off with one of their many high quality waxes. It looks fantastic when I'm finished! It doesn't harm the finish at all and it looks a million times better than any spray bottle guitar polish.

I know my methods arent the traditional way to do things. I really should start a new thread and show pictures of my process. I've never had any problems and I get fantastic results!

That is actually completely true. I must admit that I am one of those people. Which I guess is why I haven't really done any kind of cleaning before, because of fear of wrecking anything. I mean, even the process of removing all strings scares the big-jesus out of me because I have to put something underneath the bridge to keep it from falling into the body or whatever. I guess it'll always be like that until you try it and notice that everything went alright.

I'll try the steel wool too then! It was after the soap and before the tru-oil, right?

Oh wow, really? Cool! Well the tru-oil and wax is actually for guns and rifles so traditional ways aren't always the best
You really should! It would be great for people who haven't had much (or any) experience with these things.

Another thing too is that I think the wonder wipes are great product for light in-between cleanings to help maintain the neck and fretboard. But there's still nothing like giving our beloved instruments the full love they deserve. Don't be afraid to go to town and give it the full proper treatment.

The only difference is rosewood. I'll use lemon oil instead of tru oil and wax. The lemon oil I use isn't anything fancy. Just regular old English lemon oil(the liquid in the bottle, not the aerosol!!). I still get great results with no problem.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing I haven't used the Wonder Wipes for light cleaning before because I haven't had them available. So now I'm gonna give her the royal/full proper treatment.

Yeah, I've read that Rosewood is different. I have an Ebony fretboard though and an unfinished Maple neck so no lemon oil for me! I also read that lemon oil corrodes the fret-metal so it doesn't really matter what type of wood the fretboard is since the lemon oil will mess up the actual frets so I would probably stay clear of lemon oil all together.

A Rosewood neck is probably different though since there's no metal there

Nice thread. Just be careful that you don't put too much lemon oil on the fretboard - it really isn't good to do that as it could cause problems with the frets.

Yeah, I'm staying clear of lemon oil all together XD

 

[Defender2000]

Yep...use the steel wool after you wash and scrub the neck, but before you oil and wax. Since you dilute the oil soap with water, reintroducing water to the unfinished wood sometimes raises the grain in the wood. Just lightly go over the neck with the steel wool and it will bring it back down silky smooth.

Just remember though, eventhough #0000 steel wool is very soft and fine, it's still an abrasive! It's safe to use on the raw neck, but be careful around the body and the headstock. It can and will scratch the clear coat if you're not careful. Just use common sense. And you don't need to use steel wool everytime you treat your neck. Don't over do it. Once a year should be plenty. Just use your best judgement and what feels right to you.

As far as lemon oil goes...I've never had a problem with corrosion or damage to any frets. I'm not saying in can't happen. I've just never experienced it.

I guess the real point here is, no matter what you are using to clean and condition your neck, just go easy on it and don't over do it. And make sure you clean up any excess and wipe everything down clean with a microfiber when you're done.

 

[DrKev]

Just remember though, eventhough #0000 steel wool is very soft and fine, it's still an abrasive! It's safe to use on the raw neck, but be careful around the body and the headstock. It can and will scratch the clear coat if you're not careful.

Masking tape - use it to mask off areas you don't want damaged (the body around the neck joint and the finish part of the headstock at the nut, and cover the pickups to avoid tiny bits of steel wool getting in there). I like to stick it to my pant leg first - makes it a little less sticky.

I also just like sticking masking tape to my pant legs.

 

[Tanax]

Yep...use the steel wool after you wash and scrub the neck, but before you oil and wax. Since you dilute the oil soap with water, reintroducing water to the unfinished wood sometimes raises the grain in the wood. Just lightly go over the neck with the steel wool and it will bring it back down silky smooth.

Just remember though, eventhough #0000 steel wool is very soft and fine, it's still an abrasive! It's safe to use on the raw neck, but be careful around the body and the headstock. It can and will scratch the clear coat if you're not careful. Just use common sense. And you don't need to use steel wool everytime you treat your neck. Don't over do it. Once a year should be plenty. Just use your best judgement and what feels right to you.

As far as lemon oil goes...I've never had a problem with corrosion or damage to any frets. I'm not saying in can't happen. I've just never experienced it.

I guess the real point here is, no matter what you are using to clean and condition your neck, just go easy on it and don't over do it. And make sure you clean up any excess and wipe everything down clean with a microfiber when you're done.

Alright! Will do

Yeah, the ebmm video uses masking tape so I'll do that to cover the body around the neck as well as around the headstock. And since this is the first time I'm actually doing this in 2 years, I don't think it's overdoing it ^_^

Masking tape - use it to mask off areas you don't want damaged (the body around the neck joint and the finish part of the headstock at the nut, and cover the pickups to avoid tiny bits of steel wool getting in there). I like to stick it to my pant leg first - makes it a little less sticky.

I also just like sticking masking tape to my pant legs.

Cheers for the tips!


Very good tips in this thread Perhaps someone should put together a list of things from this thread into a tutorial/guide and stick it here on the forums so new members can see "How to clean and maintain your guitar" -kind of thing

 

[luv]

i even use ultra fine grit sand paper on my necks. feels awesome. i know it scares some people, but i guess i've done it enough times that it has become part of the normal neck cleaning for me, which is about once or sometimes twice a year. i too picked up some wonder wipes, but haven't used them yet. it seems like they would be a great product for weekly maintenance.

 

[Spudmurphy]

As far as lemon oil goes...I've never had a problem with corrosion or damage to any frets. I'm not saying in can't happen. I've just never experienced it.

Sorry - didn't make myself clear. Excessive lemon oil can seep under the fret tangs, and cause fret lift. My mate had a problem with his guitar after a "pro set up" where the tech freely admitted that he flooded the neck with lemon oil and left it to soak overnight. Result = lifting of frets. I knocked them back and oil literally spat out.
Another mate often soaks fretboards with Lemon Oil prior to a refret as it aids fret removal and causes less breakout of the fret slots. Personally I like lemon oil but I use it sparingly.

 

[sickindian]

I've used the 151 oil soap. I also have Murphys. There really is nothing between them. They sell it down the road from me for about a £1 !!!!

I can remeber we had this conversation back in 2008-2009 or around but it wasnt clearly resolved... but i can remember that you were looking for substitutes and you found it!

Did you bought Mruphys Oil Soap from US? Is there no significant difference between them like ingredients? I bet that you still got Murphys as its 32 oz bootle so last for long but how do you dilute each of them?

I really need to clean my fret board and I even consider sanding it with 600 and 1000 grit sanding paper because it lost the new feel

 

[Spudmurphy]

They look the same and smell the same. I used it (151 oil) on an old piece of pine furniture that had water damage from a cup placed on it many years ago - it did a great job.
A light sanding will help matters but you need to tape up the frets and make sure you sand in a longitudinal plane on the neck.

 

[sickindian]

But did you tried It on your Petrucci? I also found info that some of the people dilute Murphys 1:3 is there the same ratio for 151 Oil Soap?

I think I will get a bottle of Murphys as its seems to be recomended by EB but on the other hand you need to pay about 18 pounds including shipping which is a waste of money...

I demand chemical investigation !

 

[DrKev]

Did you bought Mruphys Oil Soap from US? Is there no significant difference between them like ingredients?

The ingredients are far more similar than looking at their names would initially suggest. They are just oil soaps (i.e. a soap made from oil, rather than fat), not magic potions. Any similar oil soap should do just fine.

 

[Spudmurphy]

But did you tried It on your Petrucci? I also found info that some of the people dilute Murphys 1:3 is there the same ratio for 151 Oil Soap?

I think I will get a bottle of Murphys as its seems to be recomended by EB but on the other hand you need to pay about 18 pounds including shipping which is a waste of money...

I demand chemical investigation !

No I didn't use it on my JP6 - at the time I had Murphy's. Trust me when I say that the 151 oil is the same. I see DrK has chipped in and I value his observation. No way would I pay £18 for Murphys - I had my cousin bring some over for me. You can use it diluted 3:1 - or you can even try it neat. I found the 151 oil in a local bargain shop - the stuff I have was brought back from the states ironically enough!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Tell ya what - cover the postage and I'll try and find two small plastic bottles and I'll mail some to you and you can report on the merits of the two?

edit
I'm staying in a hotel and have some shower gel and shampoo provided in plastic bottles. - so let me know and I can mail them over the weekend?

 

[DrKev]

My hair is kinda dry lately. Any conditioner?

 

[Spudmurphy]

I'll go check ....
Conditioner? - check.

 

[Jimmyb]

It's Bob Hoskins!

 

[DrKev]

Yes, that's what I want - English smelling hair! Thanks, Kev. I can go to bed now!

 

[Tanax]

LOL. You're hilerious

Speaking of diluting. Do you dilute your entire bottle and put it in another (larger) bottle? Or do you only dilute the soap you will use at the time you need to use it?