Best way to clean that old maple board?

[maddnotez]

First I want to note that I am unsure if it has a finish or if it is raw wood.

It's a 92' ibby S540, maple neck.

Really think it's time to give her a serious cleaning. I am feeling around to sell it or trade it, figured it would be more presentable and even if I keep I want to clean up, maybe even go as far as refret, full tune up type thing.

Anyway I'd like to just clean the board myself vs. paying some nub $75 or whatever they charge.

What is the best and most effective way to do this?

I've heard light soap and water, zippo lighter fluid and stay away from oils.

Again idk if it's raw or finished, can anyone answer that?

That might change the way I should clean it depending.

 

[Code001]

You need to figure out if it's raw or not first... Those guitars came with a finish on them from the factory, but it's also possible someone took it off. IMO, I'd just leave it be and clean the frets. A dirty maple board shows that the thing was played and not just stuck in a closet for 20+ years because it sounded like a POS.

 

[maddnotez]

You need to figure out if it's raw or not first... Those guitars came with a finish on them from the factory, but it's also possible someone took it off. IMO, I'd just leave it be and clean the frets. A dirty maple board shows that the thing was played and not just stuck in a closet for 20+ years because it sounded like a POS.

Haha, I want that I don't play my guitar closet look.

I guess I'll have to look more closely at the board to see some gloss or traces of some finish

 

[Bob Savage]

I wouldn't recommend cleaning the mojo from the fingerboard but if you must, clean it by playing it more, with clean hands.

 

[souldigger]

Mojo is good, but if you decide to clean it find a bottle of this. It will do the trick whether it has finish or not.

-JD

 

[Road King]

I've always just used a bit of warm water for maple boards.

 

[gbsmusic]

0000 steel wool. It has to be 0000 which is VERY fine. Works great and never scratches.

 

[messenger]

I just use my guitar pick to scrape off the grime.

 

[Lord Toneking]

I use warm water and murphy's oil soap

 

[Metlupass2]

I use peanut butter and let my dog lick off.

 

[Anonymous]

Battery acid?