Maintaining your guitar includes ensuring that the frets remain in good condition. Over time, frets can gather grime, oxidize, and show wear from constant contact with the strings, which may affect the playability and intonation of your instrument. Learning how to polish frets will help with restoring their smoothness, allowing your fingers to glide more easily across the neck while playing. This not only improves the tactile experience but also enhances the overall sound & look of your guitar.
The process of polishing is relatively simple but requires attention to detail and the right technique to avoid damaging the fretboard. You’ll need a few basic tools: fine-grade steel wool or polishing cloths designed specifically for frets, masking tape to protect the fretboard, and a polishing compound if needed for tougher jobs. Regular polishing not only keeps your guitar looking impressive but also extends the life of the frets and maintains the guitar’s value.
Before you start, ensure your work area is clean and well-lit. You’ll want to have ample space to handle your guitar carefully as you work on each fret. When polishing your frets, it’s important to work methodically, addressing each fret individually to ensure a uniform shine and smoothness across the entire fretboard. This attention to detail will pay off in a noticeable difference in the feel and playability of your guitar. Remember to check for any sharp edges and smooth them out, as this is key to a comfortable playing experience.
Preparing for Fret Polishing
Before polishing the frets on your guitar, ensure you have all the necessary supplies on hand and that your instrument’s fretboard and body are adequately protected to avoid any potential damage.
Gathering the Necessary Supplies
To begin, you’ll need a fret polishing kit which should include various grades of fine sandpaper or steel wool, polishing compound, and a microfiber cloth. Additionally, secure a set of fretboard guards or a fret guard—these are specialized tools designed to isolate each fret and protect the fretboard during the polishing process. If you don’t have fretboard guards, masking tape can be a DIY alternative to shield the wood around the frets.
- Fret polishing kit: Fine sandpaper or steel wool, polishing compound, microfiber cloth
- Protection: Fretboard guards or masking tape
Protecting the Fretboard and Guitar Body
Protect your guitar body and fretboard by applying masking tape or using a fretboard guard. Whether your instrument is an electric or acoustic guitar, careful application of tape will ensure that only the frets are exposed. When using tape, make sure it securely adheres to the fretboard without leaving any residue. If you prefer a professional approach, specialized fretboard guards are available at most guitar shops and offer more precise protection without the mess.
- Electric or acoustic guitars: Use fretboard guards or apply masking tape carefully
- Crosscheck: Ensure tape is firmly in place and leaves no residue
By following these steps diligently, you prepare your instrument for a successful fret polishing job, whether you choose the DIY route or take it to a pro shop.
The Fret Polishing Process
Proper fret maintenance is crucial for preserving the playability and longevity of your guitar. During this process, you’ll clean the fretboard, clean the frets, and finally polish the frets to remove any oxidation and scratches, and give the frets a final buff to ensure they are shiny and smooth.
Cleaning the Frets
Before you begin polishing, it’s important to clean the frets thoroughly to remove any grime, sweat, dirt, and grease that accumulates from regular use. Start by protecting the fretboard with painter’s tape if necessary, and then gently rub the frets with 0000-grade steel wool or micromesh finishing abrasives to lift off surface dirt and rust.
- Begin by securing the neck of your guitar to prevent movement.
- Tape off the surrounding wood to protect it from scratches.
- Gently rub each fret with the steel wool or micromesh, following the curvature of the fret wire.
Polishing the Frets
Once the frets are clean, it’s time to move on to the actual polishing to remove any fine scratches and to restore shine. Apply a small amount of fret polish or metal polish onto a microfiber suede cloth or polishing cloth. Firmly but carefully, work the polish into each fret, going back and forth along the fret. Alternatively you can try using a Dremel rotarty tool, although extra care should be taken not to go overboard as only a few light passes should be necessary.
- Apply a small dab of polish to your cloth.
- Polish each fret individually, ensuring full coverage.
- Use a micromesh or 3M polishing papers if a higher level of abrasion is needed.
Related: How To Clean The Body of A Guitar
Finishing Touches
After polishing, the frets will need a good buff to bring out their shine. This can be done manually with a clean microfiber cloth or by using a buffing wheel. Finish up by going over the frets with a clean, dry cloth to remove any leftover compound and to bring out a brilliant shine. Inspect each fret for a uniform appearance and condition.
- Buff each fret to a brilliant shine with a clean cloth.
- Inspect each fret for consistency in texture and shine.
- Remove all tape and residue from the fretboard and clean the surrounding area.
