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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Okay, It's the not-so-New Guy again. I need advice on the care and feeding of my three guitars. (1 Ovation, and 2 illegitimates) Mostly, I need to know about oils. I mean, what would y'all recommend? I'm guessing nothing with alcohol in it. But what should I be using on my Fret-Board, Top, Sides? MinWax, Mineral Oil, Pledge? Educate Me, Please! |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | i use lemmon oil on the fretboards and bridges,i probly over oil mine, i clean the fretboards and bridges every string change and oil ever other..jason |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | I second the lemon oil for the fretboard and bridge as well, although I only use it not as often as Jason mentioned above. About once every 3-4 months is ideal for me. As for the rest of the guitar, I use martin guitar polish. I dab the polish on a clean, dry cloth (not directly on the guitar), and then apply it onto the instrument.
Good luck. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Okay, Thanx... What do you clean it with? So far, I have only used a dry cloth & elbow grease. But I do wipe the strings, fret-board and neck down with a dry rag after I play it, (sometimes, usually, often, try to...) |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | What happens if you don't' oil them? |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | The fretboard and bridge are the only unfinished parts of your guitar. Practically speaking, I don't know what damage will be done over time if you don't oil the wood. The fretboard does need to be cleaned from time to time. It needs to be cleaned with something that won't damage the wood or leave a hard finish on it. Lemon oil fits the bill nicely.
I use lots of tissues when I clean the fretboard. I apply the oil with my finger, let it sit for a minute, then rub the side of each fret with a fingernail covered with tissue. I get lots of dirt on the tissue. If I'm doing a guitar that hasn't been cleaned in quite a while, I get green stuff on the tissue. Then I wipe the wood between the frets.
If the wood is really dry I'll apply a second coat of oil and let it sit for a few more minutes. Wipe off all excess before re-stringing.
This has the added benefit of bringing out the beauty of the wood. Ebony comes up looking like black ice. The Rosewood on my 6778LX is stunning after this treatment.
John <>{ |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I've been using Martin polish on the top and neck. When the bottle is empty I'm gonna try Dunlop 65. I hear from some folks on this board that it's great stuff.
John <>{ |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Just remember grasshopper....
Wax on. Wax off.
(Imagine hands waving in opposite directions) |
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April 2006
Posts: 972
Location: PDX | To clean the fretboard i use naptha or lighter fluid and 0000 steel wool. I use mineral oil as a finish. Dunlop 65 for the rest of the wood.
I stick the bowls in the dishwasher.
_____
gh1 |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | When dirty, clean the body with dunlop 65.
For the fret board and frets --- wd-40, followed by naptha, followed by an annual treatment of mineral oil, or as needed.
Back of the neck, clean with dunlop 65, and if a satin finish, butcher's wax. If gloss, just leave it. |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | C F Martin polish given to me by my teenage daughter , otherwise diluted detergent ,using non scratch paper on glossy surface , saddle fat on fretboard,...many players,just as many opinions,it all probably works. :)
Vic |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | WD40? But then you use that Naptha to get the residue off?
Is a slick fretboard a problem? Or an advantage?
Also, would Mink Oil work as well as Saddle Fat?
Tonight, I'm getting ready to change the strings on an old guitar I just picked-up (non-O). But I also need this info for my 4861. |
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August 2006
Posts: 122
Location: Tucson, AZ | ...but WHO want's "waxed" grasshoppers these days? |
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November 2005
Posts: 4820
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Every six months or more I boil my Ovation, (neck only) in mountain spring water for 10 minutes, no more, no less.
This seems to kill all the bad bacteria that make my playing sound worse than it is and, with the addition of lemon oil, gives it a nice lingering 'clean' smell.
It requires buying a very deep restaurant supply pasta boiler, but I get a lot of use out of it through the year throwing Italian themed dinner parties. |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | I was just looking into maintenence for my newly acquired Carv LB75P in Mahogony tung oil finish.
Their website says to use a good quality automotive paste wax for their painted or gloss finishes, and Old English lemon oil for the fretboards and tung oil.
So I buy a $5 pint bottle and realize that this stuff is going to last until I die. Took about five drops on a small clothe to do the entire bass and the satin neck (wasn't sure of the finish, but it did seem to like the oil, fretboard and bridge on my 2080. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Wax your car and motorcycle with the rest of it. |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | `thought Porsches liked TURTLE WAX :cool:
Vic |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Thanx Jeffrey, I also bought a bottle of Old English (Lemon Oil, NOT Malt Liquor). I was thinking just that... "This is gonna last me the rest of my Life!" Maybe I can actually clean some of my furniture if I get bored? I have Guitar! So I never get THAT BORED! |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | i ran out of dunlop 65 right before i finished fixing my baladeer top,so i used meguiar's gold class liquid wax that i polish my cars with. i put it on with a foam pad then let it haze up wiped off with a tack cloth then buffed it out..it gave it a nice deep wet shine..i hope it wont have any adverse effects on the finish..jason |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | How about using surgical gloves to avoid fingerprints ....... :confused:
Vic |
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June 2005
Posts: 231
Location: N.J. | I've been using a product made by Zaino, Zaino Polish , for over 10 years now. I met the owner thru the Viper car club and I've used it on my Vette, my Vipers and every one of my guitars. The Gloss enhancer is fantastic for right after a gig to remove dirt, grime, fingerprints ,etc. Just spray on and wipe off.
Real nice stuff ;) . |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | ive still got some verry light scraches ive got to rub out from where i wet sanded. they are hardly noticable,my wife says im nuts but i know they are there...jason |
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Guitar Maintenance?
