Cleaning old grime off a fret board

[trautsman]

Just a question for the repairer/luthiers.What product do I use to clean 40 years of grime off a fret-board,I'm in New Zealand.
Thanks

[kiwigeo]

Just a question for the repairer/luthiers.What product do I use to clean 40 years of grime off a fret-board,I'm in New Zealand.
Thanks

Wipe with Shellite and if it's really tough gently scrape with a razor blade.

[jeffhigh]

A toothbrush with the shellite (naptha)can also help. Just don't plan on using it orally afterwards.

[Nick]

On a rosewood fingerboard I use 0000 steel wool (in NZ, Briwax probably is the brand most available, places like bunnies, mitre 10 e.t.c) to initially loosen and clean the majority of crud off, then go in with the naptha/alcohol (I think Bunnings sell naptha/shellite under the 'Diggers' brand)and brush to get it out of the pores and corners between the fret and board. Then go back to the steel wool once clean, give the frets a good polish with it to remove any discolouration (oxidation) and then oil the fingerboard, should come up like new.

[blackalex1952]

After the 0000 steel wool, I use a piece of leather to final polish the frets. The tongue from an old leather shoe is a good burnisher. Brings the wood up nicely too. Also good between string changes. I use the rough side first then the fine side. The rough side removes residues and the fine side for final polish. A bit like a leather strop.

[hazboticus]

That is....a really cool idea I am totally going to try out -

[demonx]

Razor blade to scrape the wood, steel wool the frets, then run a buffer over it.