Removing Laquer From Frets

[Frank B]

Does anyone know the best way to remove laquer from the sides of frets on the maple fingerboard of an electric guitar without damaging the finish on the fingerboard. This is in reference to a new strat which sports a shoddy job at the factory of cleaning the laquer off the frets during manufacture.

Thanks!

Frank

[skibum5545]

The most common method I've heard of is just to x-acto the lacquer along the base of the fret, and pick the lacquer off with your finger or the knife tip.

[bluespresence]

I tape off the board and use 600 grit to sand/polish it off. It's not the fastest method but it keeps from creating sharp edges that can chip off when using the exacto knife method. You also aren't left with any "speed bumps" from the knife creating an edge on the lacquer.

[mj_gant]

This is in reference to a new strat which sports a shoddy job at the factory of cleaning the laquer off the frets during manufacture

That's just how fender does thier maple necks.

Fretted, dressed, sprayed, and then surface dress to remove nitro from tops.

Frank B, I wouldn't touch it unless I had to remove it for a refret.

[Scott Rosenberger]

Take a common 10 penny nail and grind a "U" in the head of it. Use the "U" to scrape the laquer from the frets

[Uncle Os]

Take a common 10 penny nail and grind a "U" in the head of it. Use the "U" to scrape the laquer from the frets

←

Another hand rasied in favor of the 'nail trick'.

MLAR, Cor

[Rolf G Riley]

When I got my new YJM strat I just took a really thin plectrum and took off the laquer with that..worked well.