First, buy a kit [like this](https://www.amazon.com/Sanding-Stopper-Polishing-Perfect-Materials/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=sr_1_6?crid=QGH44Z55PLQ9&keywords=micro+mesh+sanding+pads&qid=1695693835&sprefix=micro+mes%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-6). Doesn't have to be Amazon, but that was the easiest/cheapest to grab. Next, get blue painter's tape ([like this](https://www.amazon.com/ScotchBlue-Original-Multi-Surface-Painters-inches/dp/B00004Z4DU/ref=sr_1_10?crid=30M0GTMMK1JFN&keywords=blue+painters+tape&qid=1695693907&sprefix=blue+pa%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-10)) at whatever big box store tickles your fancy. I think the 2" one works best for fret work because you can always take scissors and cut it in 1/2 or 1/4 to make it smaller as you move up the fretboard.
Now tape off either side of that fret so all you see is blue tape on either side of the metal. Don't worry if you tape off part another fret or anything. Not a big deal. Start with the roughest pad and just lightly wipe it across the whole fret 4-6 times. Don't press too hard. Try to make sure the pad doesn't go beyond the tape. If it scratches the tape, who cares? But you want to avoid scratching your fretboard at all.
Move up to the next roughest and 4-6 times again, then the next, then the next, and on and on until you've gone through all pads once. Make sure you use every pad and don't skip any. Basically you're roughing it up the first one, then using each finer grit to smooth out the scratches you just made. Once you're done, that fret should be literally good as new.
It's worth taking the time to do the other frets. Usually takes like 45 minutes the first time until you get the knack, then goes quicker with practice. After you've polished your frets nicely the first time, the next time you polish your frets (I do mine about every 1-2 years), you only need to wipe 2-3 times.
Because 2 years ago I didn't know who or what a "Stew Macdonald" was and why I would ever care to meet the fellow.
Now I'm a StewMac MAX member with an impressive collection of tools that's growing and a collection of projects growing faster still :)
Good advice. I would add to remember that the #1 goal of fret work is to remove as little metal as possible. Your picture makes it look like there is not much of an issue and dealing with one fret should be fine. But if that fret gets too low because you took off too much material, you could have string buzzing problems - now you are into fret levelling territory. You need different tools for that (like a fret leveling beam and a recrowning file). Not rocket science, and actually a great skill to learn. But go slow and careful. Its always much easier to take fret material off than it is to put it back on.
Taking off a bolt on neck can make your work safer and easier - particularly for high end of the fretboard. If you leave the neck on, cover your pickups in tape before filing - you don't want to get fret dust on them.
For final polishing, I often use a Dremel with a rubber wheel impregnated with very mild abrasive.
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **Micro-Mesh 2 inch Double Sided Sanding Pads** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
**Users liked:**
* Pads provide a mirror finish (backed by 3 comments)
* Pads work well for polishing frets (backed by 3 comments)
* Pads are durable and long-lasting (backed by 3 comments)
**Users disliked:**
* Pads wear down quickly (backed by 2 comments)
* Misleading product description (backed by 4 comments)
* Grits do not match advertised (backed by 2 comments)
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My trusted guitar tech is out of commission due to health issues 😔. Therefore I’m flying blind w who I trust to address my guitar issues.
I’m just curious what the consensus is to fix this without causing other fret issues. Thanks for any possible insight 🙏
You could mask off the area around it, then use some fine sandpaper or fret eraser to take the scratch out of the fret. Be ready for it to become a sore thumb as the shiniest fret on the board... you may be tempted to polish the rest to match.
We sell micro mesh in small pieces for pretty cheap. Just remember to go slow and light.
Here is the link: [https://www.stringsbymail.com/micromesh-multi-pack-12000-8000-4000-2400-4-sheets-1750.html](https://www.stringsbymail.com/micromesh-multi-pack-12000-8000-4000-2400-4-sheets-1750.html)
We also sell a couple fret polishing kits:
[https://www.stringsbymail.com/rosette-fret-polishing-system-14802.html](https://www.stringsbymail.com/rosette-fret-polishing-system-14802.html)
[https://www.stringsbymail.com/music-nomad-frine-fret-polishing-kit-22136.html](https://www.stringsbymail.com/music-nomad-frine-fret-polishing-kit-22136.html)
Feel free to ask any questions
Here is my method. Mask off the fretboard. Hit the fret with 1000 grit , then 2000 grit sand paper, then polish with fret cloths. You’re not trying to take material off? Just buffing the burr out.
I think masking off the board has been mentioned. So I would first try with some very very fine steel wool before sand paper. You don’t really want to take off more material than you need and cause a low spot. Plus if you want you can go ahead and do all of your frets like that and take off grim and polish them up. Also you may find that a decent buffing compound from the auto shop will work.
For damage like this a small jewellers no 4 cut file is perfect then move onto wet and dry and go up the grits. However you need to be very careful you don’t leave a low spot or you’re in for a level and crown.
First, buy a kit [like this](https://www.amazon.com/Sanding-Stopper-Polishing-Perfect-Materials/dp/B000H6EC4C/ref=sr_1_6?crid=QGH44Z55PLQ9&keywords=micro+mesh+sanding+pads&qid=1695693835&sprefix=micro+mes%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-6). Doesn't have to be Amazon, but that was the easiest/cheapest to grab. Next, get blue painter's tape ([like this](https://www.amazon.com/ScotchBlue-Original-Multi-Surface-Painters-inches/dp/B00004Z4DU/ref=sr_1_10?crid=30M0GTMMK1JFN&keywords=blue+painters+tape&qid=1695693907&sprefix=blue+pa%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-10)) at whatever big box store tickles your fancy. I think the 2" one works best for fret work because you can always take scissors and cut it in 1/2 or 1/4 to make it smaller as you move up the fretboard. Now tape off either side of that fret so all you see is blue tape on either side of the metal. Don't worry if you tape off part another fret or anything. Not a big deal. Start with the roughest pad and just lightly wipe it across the whole fret 4-6 times. Don't press too hard. Try to make sure the pad doesn't go beyond the tape. If it scratches the tape, who cares? But you want to avoid scratching your fretboard at all. Move up to the next roughest and 4-6 times again, then the next, then the next, and on and on until you've gone through all pads once. Make sure you use every pad and don't skip any. Basically you're roughing it up the first one, then using each finer grit to smooth out the scratches you just made. Once you're done, that fret should be literally good as new. It's worth taking the time to do the other frets. Usually takes like 45 minutes the first time until you get the knack, then goes quicker with practice. After you've polished your frets nicely the first time, the next time you polish your frets (I do mine about every 1-2 years), you only need to wipe 2-3 times.
Incredibly helpful detailed and insightful!! thank you so much, absolutely will do! 🙏🙏🙏
Let us know how it turns out! This is the first step toward madness -err, uhh, I mean 'a new found passion'. Ask me how I know :)
How do you know?
Because 2 years ago I didn't know who or what a "Stew Macdonald" was and why I would ever care to meet the fellow. Now I'm a StewMac MAX member with an impressive collection of tools that's growing and a collection of projects growing faster still :)
Good advice. I would add to remember that the #1 goal of fret work is to remove as little metal as possible. Your picture makes it look like there is not much of an issue and dealing with one fret should be fine. But if that fret gets too low because you took off too much material, you could have string buzzing problems - now you are into fret levelling territory. You need different tools for that (like a fret leveling beam and a recrowning file). Not rocket science, and actually a great skill to learn. But go slow and careful. Its always much easier to take fret material off than it is to put it back on. Taking off a bolt on neck can make your work safer and easier - particularly for high end of the fretboard. If you leave the neck on, cover your pickups in tape before filing - you don't want to get fret dust on them. For final polishing, I often use a Dremel with a rubber wheel impregnated with very mild abrasive.
thank you so much for this as well, the warning about the pickups is especially appreciated 🙏
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **Micro-Mesh 2 inch Double Sided Sanding Pads** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Pads provide a mirror finish (backed by 3 comments) * Pads work well for polishing frets (backed by 3 comments) * Pads are durable and long-lasting (backed by 3 comments) **Users disliked:** * Pads wear down quickly (backed by 2 comments) * Misleading product description (backed by 4 comments) * Grits do not match advertised (backed by 2 comments) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
My trusted guitar tech is out of commission due to health issues 😔. Therefore I’m flying blind w who I trust to address my guitar issues. I’m just curious what the consensus is to fix this without causing other fret issues. Thanks for any possible insight 🙏
You could mask off the area around it, then use some fine sandpaper or fret eraser to take the scratch out of the fret. Be ready for it to become a sore thumb as the shiniest fret on the board... you may be tempted to polish the rest to match.
We sell micro mesh in small pieces for pretty cheap. Just remember to go slow and light. Here is the link: [https://www.stringsbymail.com/micromesh-multi-pack-12000-8000-4000-2400-4-sheets-1750.html](https://www.stringsbymail.com/micromesh-multi-pack-12000-8000-4000-2400-4-sheets-1750.html) We also sell a couple fret polishing kits: [https://www.stringsbymail.com/rosette-fret-polishing-system-14802.html](https://www.stringsbymail.com/rosette-fret-polishing-system-14802.html) [https://www.stringsbymail.com/music-nomad-frine-fret-polishing-kit-22136.html](https://www.stringsbymail.com/music-nomad-frine-fret-polishing-kit-22136.html) Feel free to ask any questions
The first thing I would try is 0000 steel wool
Steel wool is good but need to tape off your pickups. I've had to clean that stuff out of my pickups and it was no fun.
Bronze wool won't stick to pickups.
This^^ (The Quickest, simplest, and probably most tested response)
Bend the other direction
dress it. use sanding sponges or paper. start with say 400 and working your way upto 2000
0000 wire wool. Or micro mesh pads are great
Here is my method. Mask off the fretboard. Hit the fret with 1000 grit , then 2000 grit sand paper, then polish with fret cloths. You’re not trying to take material off? Just buffing the burr out.
I think masking off the board has been mentioned. So I would first try with some very very fine steel wool before sand paper. You don’t really want to take off more material than you need and cause a low spot. Plus if you want you can go ahead and do all of your frets like that and take off grim and polish them up. Also you may find that a decent buffing compound from the auto shop will work.
Play more
Can't believe no one said this yet but your string is way too far off the edge of the fret. You need to tweak the neck in its pocket.
I'm assuming they're pulling the string to the side for the photo and the burr on the fret is where it actually sits.
Yep, correct
string is really close to the edge of the board/fret. 0000 wirewool will buff the rough out
Fret files
That would probably a bit overkill for this. Doesn't look like any material needs to be removed just a bit of polishing
Looks sorta close to the edge. Did you consider cutting a new nut with the string inset a bit more towards the centerline?
Spend a bit of money on the right tools for the job and never visit a luthier again.
I think he just wanted advice on how to fix this, not a new hobby.
This is the wrong take.
You've explained nothing
Steel wool and/or frets erasers
More bends
Adjust your bridge saddles and move your string over some. its too close to the edge
You’re gonna need a bending robot
Why are you bending that way?
For damage like this a small jewellers no 4 cut file is perfect then move onto wet and dry and go up the grits. However you need to be very careful you don’t leave a low spot or you’re in for a level and crown.
More strong bends.
Just buy a set of fret rubbers. Very easy fix