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PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 12:37 am 
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Koa
Koa
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If anybody out there is using this stuff on frets I'd like it if you could give me some tips. I just ordered some from Stew Mac and used it for the first time. I masked off the fretboard up close to every fret before using. It shines the frets up really nice. The problem is that some on the cleaner/polish leaked under the tape on my fretboard. It's like it cause the tape to leave a gunk also. Anyway, it has ultimately turned out to be a messy headache. Should I have just squeezed out the cotton better? I didn't realize it was getting under the tape until I had done all the frets.


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PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 2:21 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Location: Changes when ever I move..Australia
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Hey Colby,

You could try using citrus oil (orange or lemon) it will remove the gunk from the tape and seems to look good on the board as well. I have found a bit of polishing compound on a little hard felt buff fitted to a dremel makes quick easy work of fret polishing. I just run the buff on the point of a screw lightly to shape it to the fret wire first.

Cheers

Kim


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PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 11:38 pm 
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Koa
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Kim, thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure I'll be using that X-treem metal polish again. What kind of compound are you using on the dremel buff? Is it one of the fine compounds dremel makes, or is it one we would use for buffing our finishes?
I like my frets to really sparkle.


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PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2006 11:41 pm 
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Old Growth Brazilian Rosewood
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I use micro mesh up through 12,000. They shine like mirrors when I am done.


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http://www.polingguitars.com


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PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 7:07 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Hey Colby,

I just use the stuff from dremel but as the fret wire is fairly soft I think most fine grade compounds would work as well.

I tape a stainless fret guard over the wire, give the wire a rub with progressively finer grades of wet and dry, say up to 1200 or 1500, then buff away to a mirror finish. It works very fast and avoids mess. I guess heat build up could be an issue if your inclined to get a little over enthusiastic with the buff, but I have had no such problem as it's all done an dusted in a few seconds.

Cheers

Kim


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PostPosted: Tue May 09, 2006 7:36 am 
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Old Growth Brazilian
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Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2004 1:56 am
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Location: United States
StewMac sells little wheel polishers for the Dremel that look very much like micromesh but domed to the dhape of the fret. they work geeat if you have a flex shaft.

MichaelP38846.6924652778


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PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2006 12:29 am 
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Koa
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Thanks Guys!


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