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Post subject: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:22 am
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I have a strat with a rosewood fretboard, and there's green stuff building up on the wood. The concentrated buildup seems to be in the areas where I play the most, although after doing some scraping, I've found that a thin layer seems to coat the whole fretboard.

It's definitely not mold--it's some type of gunk that's on the wood.

It doesn't hamper my playing, but it looks weird, and mysterious buildup can't be good.

After doing some research, I can only find mention of green on the actual frets, not on the wood itself.

My question is this: what is this stuff, and what would be a good way to get it off?

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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:11 am
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If I were to guess, i would think you have a higher then normal acid level in your body sweat/oil and the frets are corroding.

What i suggest is to remove the strings and use Murphy's oil soap and soft toothbrush to scrub the board clean, then oil the board.

I would then recommend that you use Dove soap to wash your hands before playing to prevent this from coming back,

Dove has oil cleaners and body oils in it to neutralize your own sweat's acid.

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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:20 am
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I use a little bit of lemon oil on my rosewood fret boards. A stress "a little bit."


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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 11:31 am
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Lemon oil does work, but in this case I think Mineral oil would be better. (It's acid free)

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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:42 pm
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Naptha? Sparingly...

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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:54 pm
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I'd go with naphta, as in Zippo fluid, for cleaning. It will remove just about all oils, though, so treat the fretboard with oil of your choice afterwards. Apply the oil, then wipe off all you can with clean cotton rags - and you may need to repeat this more than once, see how the fretboard is the next day. And: make this a regular habit.

Good advice above on washing your hands, you probably have poisonous sweat :wink:

(The maple fretboards with their lacquer stand out better).


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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:56 pm
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Yet another +1 for Zippo lighter fluid and a toothbrush

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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:18 pm
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Jeffytune wrote:
Lemon oil does work, but in this case I think Mineral oil would be better. (It's acid free)

What's sold as "lemon oil" is mineral oil, with lemon scent added.

And real lemon oil, which is harder to find, is also acid free - it's D-limonene. The acids of a lemon is in the water (lemon juice), not the oil. That said, real lemon oil is not good for treating fingerboards, because it's much like turpentine - it dissolves lacquers and glues, and is a known skin sensitizer.

As for those who suggest naphtha, beware that naphtha can be anything - it's a mix of different volatiles, and you don't know what's in the mix. Some are safe, some not. Also, it dries out wood, so after cleaning a bare wood fretboard with it, be sure to oil it.

As for what the green stuff is - it's a mix of sweat and dead skin cells. It's the same gunk that turns fabric arm rests and mouse pads gross.

My suggestion: Use a liberal amount of "lemon oil" or other fretboard conditioner, and rub the gunk off with your finger covered by a microfiber cloth, wiping with the fibers, not against them. Repeat until all gunk is gone, then give it a final oil cover and immediate light wipe-off. If the fretboard is kept oiled regularly, the gunk will be easier to clean off.


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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:55 pm
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Jeffytune wrote:
Lemon oil does work, but in this case I think Mineral oil would be better. (It's acid free)

Lemon Oil you buy at the guitar/furniture store is just mineral oil with fake lemon scent.
Lemon Oil used in cooking should never go near your fretboard.
Two different things.

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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 12:24 am
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arth1 wrote:
As for those who suggest naphtha, beware that naphtha can be anything

Good point, and that's exactly why there's the brand name mentioned (generally I don't like to advertise on the forum...).
BTW, I bet there's been changes in the Zippo fluid formula over the decades, but it's always worked for me, in lighters as well as on guitars.

On the oils: I havent noticed much difference between different products, just about any oil suitable for bare wood will do. Lemon, linseed, olive...
(And I've got a 20+ years old suspicious looking tin bottle of 'furniture oil' that has a nice brownish tint to even out discolorings in the wood.)
IMHO, the key factors are that you a) keep the fretboard oiled (the frequency depends on the user and the climate), but b) you wipe the excess off. Treated doesn't mean greasy...


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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 6:07 am
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Anybody ever try WD-40? On a list of uses it can be used for cleaning and lubing guitar strings.


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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:15 am
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tbazzone wrote:
Anybody ever try WD-40? On a list of uses it can be used for cleaning and lubing guitar strings.

That's a very versatile product, too, but
Quote:
The uses of WD-40 described on this website were provided to WD-40 Company by end-users of the product, and do not constitute recommendations or suggestions for use of WD-40 by WD-40 Company.
These uses, including the "Use of the Day," have not been tested by WD-40 Company. Consumers should exercise common sense whenever using WD-40. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the WD-40 packaging.

so some items on the list may be just student humor. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 8:01 am
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Twelvebar wrote:
Jeffytune wrote:
Lemon oil does work, but in this case I think Mineral oil would be better. (It's acid free)

Lemon Oil you buy at the guitar/furniture store is just mineral oil with fake lemon scent.
Lemon Oil used in cooking should never go near your fretboard.
Two different things.


You must belong to a different culinary tradition from me. Real lemon oil is like an aggressive version of turpentine. It's used as a paint stripper, so I personally would not use it for cooking (nor on a guitar).

On a fretboard, use "lemon oil" (lemon scented mineral oil) or other oils meant for renewing oily woods like rosewood and ebony.


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Post subject: Re: What do I do about green gunk on my fretboard?
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 8:10 am
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jmattis wrote:
IMHO, the key factors are that you a) keep the fretboard oiled (the frequency depends on the user and the climate), but b) you wipe the excess off. Treated doesn't mean greasy...


Seconded. You let the rosewood soak up as much as it can (which might take several applications if dried out), and then wipe off any excess, thoroughly.
In terms of how much oil the wood carries, black ebony > ebony > Brazilian rosewood > Indian rosewood. This also means you have to treat Indian rosewood more often, as it dries out quicker.

Note that good ebony can feel a bit greasy/waxy even when wiped thoroughly. And that tidbit of information is mostly for use with other instruments like banjos and basses - I think there's only been one strat with an ebony fretboard.


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