Fithy fretboard cleaning

thermionic

I saw a YouTube video a year or so ago by a guitar tech (can’t remember who) who had managed to save (well, almost…) a Gibson ES-something, where the owner had used a “common household product” on the guitar - for years. And not only on the fretboard, he’d slathered it all over the body and headstock as well. The finish was wrinkled and rippled, I’m guessing from the product sinking into lacquer cracks. It looked like it had been dredged from a lake. Horrific.

The “common household product” was only revealed at the very end - it was olive oil!

BillDL

Wow!  All over the body as well!  What a shame.  Now, had he used Filippo Berio extra Virgin olive oil, not only would he have had a guitar that would play "La donna è mobile" all by itself, but it would have restored the guitar almost to its prime, like it was being touched for the very first time.

P.S. I found the video referred to.

thermionic

That’s the one!

Petrogli

LastMantra said:

Genclean used to be handy stuff. Don't know if it's still the same or even still exists?

I've never encountered anyone who knew about Genklene. I recall it as an industrial degreaser used in the aerospace industry, at least that's where I know it from.

Apparently it isn't banned but is being phased out as it is an ozone depleting substance. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,1,1-Trichloroethane

It was very effective stuff, and is like many effective things... Pretty nasty!

FWIW I wouldn't use it on wood, even if it was available. Gently cleaners and elbow grease are the way to go.

Cheers,

Neil

euan

Elbow Grease cleaner might do it...

SteveRobinson

Petrogli said:

LastMantra said:

Genclean used to be handy stuff. Don't know if it's still the same or even still exists?

I've never encountered anyone who knew about Genklene. I recall it as an industrial degreaser used in the aerospace industry, at least that's where I know it from.

When we made it at ICI Castner Kellner works the brand name was Triklone. 

Hurling_Fruitmig

thermionic said:

The “common household product” was only revealed at the very end - it was olive oil!

If only they'd used butter...

impmann

Petrogli said:

LastMantra said:

Genclean used to be handy stuff. Don't know if it's still the same or even still exists?

I've never encountered anyone who knew about Genklene. I recall it as an industrial degreaser used in the aerospace industry, at least that's where I know it from.

Apparently it isn't banned but is being phased out as it is an ozone depleting substance. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1,1,1-Trichloroethane

It was very effective stuff, and is like many effective things... Pretty nasty!

FWIW I wouldn't use it on wood, even if it was available. Gently cleaners and elbow grease are the way to go.

Cheers,

Neil

I thought you meant Trichcloroethylene (Trike, TCE, Dry Cleaning Fluid) for a moment... thats really nasty stuff, and would probably melt the inlays!!

spev11

Elbow grease won the day , well actually 3 days on a off (in between working on bikes)

digitalscream

FFS, guys, I'm doing my best...