Steel wool VIRGIN!!!!

[brentrocks]

Well, i listened to everybody saying how using 0000 steel wool to clean the neck and fretboard worked soooo good.

I was very scared to use something like that on my EVHs!

I broke down and tried it tonight, and it is FRIGGIN AMAZING!!! it looks like a brand new neck!!...then a little lemon oil, and presto!

So all of you out there who were scared to do that like i was, dont be!!! It works great!!!!

 

[koogie2k]

Some people are scared thinking it will scratch like a more abrasive steel wool...just be smart about it and trust us....you can drink the Kool-Aid...

 

[peat]

you use it to clean the fretboard
with some sort of cleaner as well

what about the back of the neck?

 

[blackspy]

I was scared to read this thread after reading the title 'Steel Wool VIRGIN!!!!!' .... it looked terrifying and painful sounding.

 

[brentrocks]

I was scared to read this thread after reading the title 'Steel Wool VIRGIN!!!!!' .... it looked terrifying and painful sounding.

yeah, i can see that....

 

[brentrocks]

you use it to clean the fretboard
with some sort of cleaner as well

what about the back of the neck?

i just used the steel wool, on both sides of the neck, cleaned the dust off and then applied the lemon oil over the whole neck (wipped off excess)...looks like the day it rolled off the EB line!!!! super clean!!!

 

[Hookpunch]

Just make sure you tape over your pickups so you don't get bits of steel wool sticking to the magnets.

 

[J-Nick]

Well, i listened to everybody saying how using 0000 steel wool to clean the neck and fretboard worked soooo good.

I was very scared to use something like that on my EVHs!

I broke down and tried it tonight, and it is FRIGGIN AMAZING!!! it looks like a brand new neck!!...then a little lemon oil, and presto!

So all of you out there who were scared to do that like i was, dont be!!! It works great!!!!

Did you unbolt the neck to do that?

 

[CudBucket]

I recently gave both my Pets a thorough cleaning. I removed the necks and taped off the fretboard so that only frets were exposed. I steel wooled the frets and then polished with Flitz. They're like mirrors now. I then removed the tape, hit the back of the neck with 1200 or 1500 grit paper and then Birchwood-Casey-oiled and buff 2x. The fretboard got two coats of Weiman's lemon oil. The necks never looked or felt this good.

 

[Hookpunch]

What is Flitz?

 

[brentrocks]

Did you unbolt the neck to do that?

no, i was really careful though...

 

[brentrocks]

Just make sure you tape over your pickups so you don't get bits of steel wool sticking to the magnets.

yup...learned that lesson the hard way!

 

[Hutch4545]

Okay - stupid question, before I attempt this and possibly screw up one of mine, Brent.

And you'll have to forgive the description, too - it's the best I could come up with.

When using the steel wool to clean the neck, did you "rub" the neck from headstock to body, across the frets -- or did you rub the neck from high E to low E, between the frets -- in order to clean the neck.

Whew -- hope you understood what I was trying to say.

 

[robelinda2]

yeah i was thinking the same thing. i want to clean mine but dont want to mess it up permanently by doing it wrong. seeing as i'm hopeless at this sort of thing its a strong possibility i'll mess it up. We await your response "pinkevhman"!

 

[phatduckk]

i steel wool the back of the necks of all my EBs from time to time. i just tape off the PUPs then rub up and down the next from headtsock to body, back and forth etc

a quick wipe and its butter

 

[brentrocks]

Okay - stupid question, before I attempt this and possibly screw up one of mine, Brent.

And you'll have to forgive the description, too - it's the best I could come up with.

When using the steel wool to clean the neck, did you "rub" the neck from headstock to body, across the frets -- or did you rub the neck from high E to low E, between the frets -- in order to clean the neck.

Whew -- hope you understood what I was trying to say.

you should rub WITH the grain of the wood....so you would rub up and down the neck (the long way)

becareful around the neck pocket.

and if you have some hard to reach spots against the frets, then you can rub the other way, but just enough to clear the stain

 

[peat]

I recently gave both my Pets a thorough cleaning. I removed the necks and taped off the fretboard so that only frets were exposed. I steel wooled the frets and then polished with Flitz. They're like mirrors now. I then removed the tape, hit the back of the neck with 1200 or 1500 grit paper and then Birchwood-Casey-oiled and buff 2x. The fretboard got two coats of Weiman's lemon oil. The necks never looked or felt this good.

damn that sounds like a good service
i might do that when the day finally comes where i install a tremolno
so ill take all the strings off
clean and lube the trem posts too

how do you go after you put the neck back on
do you have to completely re setup your guitar
action and truss rod and all that?

 

[Hutch4545]

Cool - thanks guys.

 

[robelinda2]

well i've just got some steel wool, 0000. WOW!!!!! my necks on all 3 balls have never been smoother, its unbelieveable. just about all the discoloring is gone, like new again!!!! birdseye is shining thorugh. thanks brent!

 

[candid_x]

Another Flitz user! The stuff is fantastic to polish frets with, but be careful or the black material gets onto the board. If you can’t find it, try looking in your local sporting goods store in their firearms dept. Use sparingly.

I know precious little about electronics, but do have experience with wood finishes. 0000 steel wool – either dry or with a little clear finishing oil – can work miracles on a dingy piece of maple, front and back. Even old lacquered finishes get a facelift this way. I bought my son an old G&L ASAT a few years back, and the lacquer on the back of the neck was dried and flakey. A light going over with 0000 and a little wood oil – presto! He’s had to repeat the process once since then. The finish is old and dry, so that’s going to happen. No such issues to deal with on EBMMs.

I also use masking-tape over the p’ups and cavities before using steel wool on the neck, unless I’m just giving the neck a light wool brushing.