How to get rid of these white marks?

[drrohle]

I stand thrashed and defeated drrhole as it sounds like you, having your own shop, have a ton of experience dealing with this issue (with all sorts of magnetic devices) and what you say about using a brush instead of steel is, if anything, a more efficient approach so you don't have to waste time/effort taping off the sound hole, etc.  Makes sense.

Thanks quitarsrsoawesome (they are aren't they)!

It's funny, I almost aspirated a whole can of never-dull when I went Huuuuuu - Seeing that Taylor fretboard cleaning video the first time. It just caught me by such surprise. 

[michaelw]

These white marks on the fretboard is getting very annoying! I was told that it will go away once I oil it. It went away for a few days and now its coming back. Is this actually normal?

to me, it looks like wax, fast fret or finger ease residue -
because the fretboard has wood inlays, rather than abalone,
MOP, or ivoroid, a little extra care should be taken, imho

naptha, pure naptha, is very powerful stuff
http://www.lowes.com/pd_247184-78-QVM46_0__?productId=3162199

ronsonol lighter fluid used to contain naptha, but apparently it has
been reformulated in the past few years & no longer contains it
http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/topic/136591#.VGbEmfnF_gw

i've had good results using ronsonol, 0000 steel wool & then
dr stringfellows (kyser) lemoil on a paper towel afterwards -
since your k24ce has ES2
http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=5702
the possibility of particles of steel wool sticking on the fretboard above the magnetic
neck sensor is a non-issue & even with ES1.1/2/3 guitars, i've cleaned fretboards using
this method & never had a problem, but if there happened to be any particles that a soft
nylon brush couldn't take care of, then a little 3M blue low tack painter's tape did the trick
http://www.worldpaintsupply.com/3m-scotch-blue-painters-tape-2080-low-tack-1-x-60-yd/

practicing a reasonable amount of caution, not being too aggressive with the steel wool & using lemoil
sparingly (i put a bit on a quality paper towel folded over many times & then go back over it with a clean
paper towel (with the grain) & usually the fretboard will squeak when i'm done, letting me know it's dry

[icy_wind500]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

But I did use fast fret! I've used fast fret as a fretboard cleaner before with no problems. Does that mean I can't do it on this guitar? So I'll just get a tooth brush and lemon oil to work it out?

[icy_wind500]

I've just came back from my local hardware store and they have no idea what's naphtha or even lemon oil.... Hm.... Is there any alternatives that's available in Australia ?

[michaelw]

lemoil
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/kyser-dr.-stringfellow-lem-oil

ronsonol lighter fluid
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ronson-Lighter-Fluid-133ml-can/dp/B00298IFN0

using a toothbrush & 'scrubbing' with lemoil may result
in spots of oil being directed where they are not desired

[icy_wind500]

Could I perhaps brush it without any liquid?

[drrohle]

Could I perhaps brush it without any liquid?

Wont hurt to try, if you're using a soft brush.

Might sound odd but one of the best non-toxic de-greasers/solvents around is "spit". You'll need a lot to do the whole fret board but give it a try. Spit on a terry cloth wash rag and rub away.  Won't hurt a thing! 

[tedtan]

What tends to be tricky about removing on ES-equpped guitars is the ferrous residue that accumulates around the base of the fretboard, where it meets the upper bout.  The neck/string sensor apparently has a magnet powerful enough to attract that light steel wool residue and hold it in the little 'nook' between the fretboard and the top...  I certainly couldn't blow it off...

Another magnet will remove it, just be careful so as not to possibly change the magnetic field of the pickups themselves, e.g., move the magnet away from the pickups instead of moving it around back and forth in the pickup's magnetic field.

Their string-changing literature recommends doing this; or using a towel to cover the sound hole, which is what I did.

I tend to use the towel myself, as its quicker and easier.

[timfitz63]

What tends to be tricky about removing on ES-equpped guitars is the ferrous residue that accumulates around the base of the fretboard, where it meets the upper bout.  The neck/string sensor apparently has a magnet powerful enough to attract that light steel wool residue and hold it in the little 'nook' between the fretboard and the top...  I certainly couldn't blow it off...

Another magnet will remove it, just be careful so as not to possibly change the magnetic field of the pickups themselves, e.g., move the magnet away from the pickups instead of moving it around back and forth in the pickup's magnetic field.

Ooh, yeah -- good point!  Don't want to flux up the magnets in the pick-up...!

I'm thinking there's got to be a safe, easy way to remove the steel wool residue -- one that won't endanger pick-up magnets or the finish -- but I'm a bit stumped at the moment.  Maybe I'll try a vacuum cleaner hose...?

[Earl]

You could pick up the stray steel wool fiber's with some low-tack masking tape, or possibly a lightly damped paper towl.  I've been cleaning fretboards for years with steel wool, and this gets the stray particles for me.

[timfitz63]

You could pick up the stray steel wool fiber's with some low-tack masking tape, or possibly a lightly damped paper towl.  I've been cleaning fretboards for years with steel wool, and this gets the stray particles for me.

I thought about tape or a paper towel, but it seems like it would be difficult to get into the very deep corners between the fretboard and top...

[icy_wind500]

ok.... I have tried the toothbrush by itself and it didn't work one bit.
Then I taped off the hole and used steel wool, it took some out and its still visible. The white lines are lighter though.
Next I vacuumed the steel wool remains and wiped it down with a dampened cloth. Its alittle bit better but the ebony look so pale now. I guess I have get my hands on some lemon oil!

[etzeppy]

I had a pro fret dress performed on a Les Paul with an ebony board. I fought with that board from time to time with similar marks. When I got the guitar back from the fret dress, the board had a great black shine and looked better than new. It was also very slick and "fast". I asked the guy what he put on it and he said nothing at all. He polished the frets and board with some sort of buffer wheel. I have been tempted to take him other guitars and just ask for a fret board polish.

[Guitarsan]

Just saw this, FYI....

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/19800-guitar-shop-101-the-great-guitar-cleanup?page=3

[guitarsrsoawesome]

Just saw this, FYI....

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/19800-guitar-shop-101-the-great-guitar-cleanup?page=3

Interesting comment from this article:

I have been using clarinet Bore oil on my rosewood and ebony unfinished fretboards and bridges for decades. It was designed to keep the inner bore of clarinets, traditionally made from ebony, from drying out. A few drops in each fret space and wipe with a clean cloth. Available at any music store, Selmer has a bore oil in 1 1/2 oz bottle for a few bucks or Conn has an 8 oz bottle for about 7 bucks which should last for years.