Oil on fretboards with inlays?

[Marino]

I was wondering, is it safe to put oil on fretboards with inlays. I have k24ce and I am afraid if I put some oil on the fretboard the inlay will change colour. Any experiences with this? Thanks

[Strumming Fool]

Using the proper oil sparingly will not harm your K24's wood inlay. Please check the Taylor website for instructions. Taylor offers a good fretboard oil and I have also had good luck with mineral oil, because it cleans and evaporates. You probably don't need to do it more than once a year, and remember to use 0000 steel wool on your fretboard before applying oil during a string change. My K24 looks fine as a result of using this method.

[StrummingMadMan]

I also use 0000 steel wool (every time I change strings), but I use boiled linseed oil on my necks, once a year at the most. I’ve been doing this for ages and never had a problem.

[Marino]

Thanks for your answers. Will do as you suggest.

[Edward]

Or the other alternative: leave your fretboard alone.  Seriously.

FWIW, I've used "Fret Dr" bore oil and it's fine, and darkens RW boards a bit, albeit temporarily.  And compared to my guitars that have never had any oil treatment on them for yeeears (hmm, over 10yrs on one, coming on 25yrs on another), I see/feel zero difference.  Read up on the "need" for oiling a fretboard ...it's dubious at best; damaging at worse when over applied; and this from experts whose business it is building guitars, not from the guys hawking their oil, let alone mere anecdotal web-testaments which you can take for what they're worth.  In the final analysis, oiling a board serves little-if-any quantifiable benefits so long as the guitar is properly humidified.  So if you do oil it, go very lightly, and then wait another decade!

Edward

[Earl]

My understanding is that excessive oiling will noticeably darken the wood inlays like on the K24, reducing their contrast with the ebony.  And fret boards generally don't need oil.  I will sometimes clean mine during a string change starting with water, moving to a Scotchbrite pad or 0000 steel wool if there is any gunk build-up, then wiping again with water.  About once every second year I put 3-4 drops of mineral oil on a cotton ball and wipe on lightly as a final cleaning step, then wipe off the excess right away.  None of my guitars have wood inlays, though.  Mine are all abalone or MOP.

[Marino]

Thanks for valuable information. I guess then oil is not really necessary, just keep the humidity levels in check

[jtees4]

I think the key to oiling a board i simple. Don't do it more often than seems necessary, and don't saturate it. I'be been doing it with lemon oil for 50+ years, never had a problem. And still have the same bottle too.

[TaylorGirl]

I used the Taylor fretboard oil very sparingly once on my K24 after using 0000 steel wool. No problem with the inlays. I probably won't do it again for many years. I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of all my string changes and maintenance done on my 16 stringed instruments. That way I know what was done and when.

[StrummingMadMan]

I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of all my string changes and maintenance done on my 16 stringed instruments. That way I know what was done and when.

This is brilliant and I am stealing this idea. Thank you

[TaylorGirl]

I have a spreadsheet where I keep track of all my string changes and maintenance done on my 16 stringed instruments. That way I know what was done and when.

This is brilliant and I am stealing this idea. Thank you

It works well and it is easy to keep updated.  You can put everything that is necessary for your circumstances.

[LeftyBlues57]

Mrs. Taylor's favorite son Bob says to use boiled linseed oil and once or twice and you're done. He seems to know what he's talking about...

[bigtim]

I saw the video of the Taylor tech guy using the linseed oil and spray car wax. I have been using lemon oil for over 30 years on all of my guitars. I have a Les Paul Custom with the large mother of pearl block inlays. The key to adding oil is to put it on a cloth and go over the entire fretboard evenly. Then take another rag and wipe off the excess. I have done this to many guitars with both rosewood and ebony fretboards. I use it on my Taylor GS6 too. Lemon oil is just mineral oil with lemon scent added. So mineral oil is clear and so is linseed oil if you choose to use any oil, you should be safe with those. But for the heck of it, a small 4 OZ or so bottle of Keysers lemon oil is like 10 or so dollars now. I went to Lowes home improvement and got a large spray bottle of lemon oil for like 6 dollars. It will last for years too.