Repairing/removing Plastic Fret Dots

[JosephMcGarvey]

Hello,

I am refinishing an old beat up maple neck, and I would like to remove and replace the damaged plastic fret dots with new ones. Can anyone recommend the best way to do this without damaging the fretboard? Drilling them out smaller than the diameter is my first thought, but I am not sure how to release the left over and glue.

Thanks!

[WezV]

Thats exactly how i do it, you usually find that drilling through the middle of the dot is enough to loosen the glue on the rest of it and it will either come out with the drill bit or need a gently pry in the hole you just made.

[low end fuzz]

when i was trying to steam a fb off, the heat popped out the dots; i dont know if i would recomend it; id rather drill , but it worked;

and they were epoxied in.