bigjohn Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 (edited) Sounds like crap to me. I've never noticed lemon oil doing anything to frets. Certainly nothing more than would happen to the them anyway, which is sorted out by polishing. I've cut a fret sized hole in a plastic business card, to protect the fretboard, and polish frets with wire wool. Edited April 17, 2012 by bigjohn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 [quote name='StraightSix' timestamp='1334650084' post='1618982'] It may be that there are many different types of 'lemon oil' and some formulations are different to others. [/quote]I think this was already covered at the start of the thread, or another similar one, it comes up a lot. There's loads of products people sell as lemon oil or Lem-oil. Some are just scented naphtha (lighter fluid), others are mineral oil with scent and colouring, some actually contain lemon oil, some are variants of linseed again with colouring and scent added. I'd tend to favour the plant-oil-based types rather than the naphtha solvent ones, but they won't tell you on the side of the bottle. This is why people feel safer buying something higher priced with a reputable name on the side of the bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 [quote name='bigjohn' timestamp='1334654573' post='1619072'] Sounds like crap to me. [/quote] This care of Martin Guitar Company: [url="http://www.martinguitar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=555&Itemid=146"]http://www.martinguitar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=555&Itemid=146[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 [quote name='bigjohn' timestamp='1334654573' post='1619072'] I've cut a fret sized hole in a plastic business card, to protect the fretboard, and polish frets with wire wool. [/quote] That's a good idea - I was considering buying one of those metal versions but I will give that a try. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janmaat Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 I guess on a vintage instrument, it will have to be the arm pit sweat of Leo Fender himself. According to lore, he bottled it - there are two types, one for p-bass and one for j-bass. You can REALLY hear the difference. But quality has deteriorated some point in the 1960ies. So purists go for Oud oil these days. http://lynne-evans.suite101.com/oud-oil-is-the-most-expensive-in-the-world-a311282 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geddeeee Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 A big no-no for lemon oil. It's for furniture!!! It opens up the pores of the wood. Not good at all!!! Use naptha (lighter fluid) to clean all the crap off. Then use linseed oil to 'nourish' the fretboard. Use about 6 drops along the fretboard. Wipe it off immediately.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horizontalste Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 [quote name='geddeeee' timestamp='1341269272' post='1716321'] A big no-no for lemon oil. It's for furniture!!! It opens up the pores of the wood. Not good at all!!! Use naptha (lighter fluid) to clean all the crap off. Then use linseed oil to 'nourish' the fretboard. Use about 6 drops along the fretboard. Wipe it off immediately.... [/quote] Will the Linseed oil be worthy of unfinished maple necks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 [quote name='StraightSix' timestamp='1334479914' post='1616563'] I may be wrong but I have read that lemon oil can attack certain metal alloys used for frets. I've been using Ernie Ball Wonderwipes - pre-soaked individual cloths with a mixture of orange Oil, Jojoba and Linseed Oil: [url="http://www.ernieball.co.uk/products/productdetail/Wonder+Wipes+Fretboard+Conditioner+6+pack/part_number=4276/574.1.4.3.16140.0.0.0.0?pp=8"]http://www.ernieball...40.0.0.0.0?pp=8[/url] One single cloth can easily do two necks or more. [/quote] If lemon oil was going to attack the frets then so would orange oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geddeeee Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 [quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1341271027' post='1716342'] Will the Linseed oil be worthy of unfinished maple necks? [/quote] I would use linseed oil on ANY fretboard. Basically it gets into the wood grain retaining natural moisture, and also it provides a barrier against all the bad stuff. If you value your neck, stay well clear of lemon oil/orange oil. As I said it is for furniture. A lot of people will disagree with me, but I think they're wrong. I've seen the damage the lemon based stuff can do.... Save it for your coffee table!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I use a damp e-cloth. Seems to do the trick and certainly removes a lot of crud. I've never found it necessary to treat the board with any type of oil... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 [quote name='geddeeee' timestamp='1341269272' post='1716321'] A big no-no for lemon oil. It's for furniture!!! It opens up the pores of the wood. Not good at all!!! Use naptha (lighter fluid) to clean all the crap off. Then use linseed oil to 'nourish' the fretboard. Use about 6 drops along the fretboard. Wipe it off immediately.... [/quote] Hmmm, I was told naptha is bad for open grain.... soaks too far in and takes a while to evaporate (It can soak through open grain wood easily). I don't doubt you can use a little, or a generic weak detergent to tackle heavy grime.... just don't let it soak in anything! +1 on the linseed oil, you only need a few drops, and it works wonders. Oh and [u]NEVER[/u] use wire wool unless you take the time to tape the pickups off (and f holes if you have them). Fret dressing = metallic sprinkles. Most of these will contain nickel and iron and so will stick to any magnets. They can also cause issues with electronics (like shorting etc.) I've heard fret & crowning files, or small files, or sandpaper (esp. 600+ grit) is better. A Vacuum cleaner or constant brushing up of filings/dust is a good idea too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1341302453' post='1716470'] I use a damp e-cloth. Seems to do the trick and certainly removes a lot of crud. I've never found it necessary to treat the board with any type of oil... [/quote] Here are some.... entertaining vids [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=medOfHgsXVk&feature=plcp"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=medOfHgsXVk&feature=plcp[/url] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp3zec6xYvE&feature=plcp"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp3zec6xYvE&feature=plcp[/url] He's big into conditioning & restoring instruments, I tried the linseed oil on my rosewood fingerboard and was very happy. If the board seems dry I'd recommend it. It only takes 3 - 4 drops to make a huge difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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