Fret Polishing

[Toulouse_Tuhles]

Should also say I've used the "play it off" scenario, and that finish is thick.  It will come off, especially where you bend, but then you have a fret thats maybe .004 low... and it can buzz, depending on the position... and... the unplayed frets, the unpopular ones that didn't get dates in school... they still got finish on 'em.  So, score n scrape works for me now

 

[JPOL007]

All cool information, you guys always give good advice. The wizard neck won't know what hit it when I clean those frets :icon_thumright:

 

[Cagey]

Even though it'll eat up 10-15 minutes, it's often helpful to tape off the fretboard before you start on any of that, just in case. Sharp tools have been known to scratch things that don't need scratching, and if you wanna take some Scotchbrite or polishing papers to the frets to get those really clean and smooth, the finish/wood will be protected.

 

[Toulouse_Tuhles]

Total agreement +1

 

[sugawapi]

See what I'm saying—yah, why doesn't Warmoth include a frets-refinishing option in their services? It won't be only time-consuming but also pesky to do it by the method of 0000 steel wool. And let's not forget that somebody has already started polishing the neck for smooth poly finish. On the top, steel wool fibers might fly away, you’ll end up with them sticking to the magnets or in the uninvited corners. For me, neck is a nice plus for attention-sharing guys and gear-builders when supplied with untouched and clean frets right from the box.

 

[Mitch]

On my first Warmoth build I ordered a satin finished all maple neck and I used the "score and scrape" method to clean the frets. Worked fine and did not take much time at all. That said, I now prefer roasted maple because no finish is required. I do like the look of a finished regular maple neck and fretboard better, but the stability advantages of roasted maple and the feel of a raw wood neck outweigh the esthetics factor.