Oil or Other Dressing for Guitar Fretboards?

[Steve H Graham]

I am wondering what to apply to the fretboards of my guitars.

There are commercial products like Finger Ease (messy spray) and Fast Fret (expensive) that make fretboards and strings easier for fingers to negotiate. I have read that many people use mineral oil or furniture polish instead. I am wondering what the best solution is. I like Fast Fret, but it seems a little weak, and you have to apply it every day.

I was thinking of getting a bottle of mineral oil and adding some orange or lemon oil to make it smell good. I also wondered about coconut oil, since it's a little heavier.

The last guy who worked on my guitars said I should use lighter fluid to clean them, but right now I'm only interested in making them less aggravating to play.

[Jim Creech]

I've been using Roche-Thomas Fingerboard Oil for more years than I care to think about. Never considered using anything else.

[Steve H Graham]

I never heard of that stuff until you mentioned it! How can that be?

I'm going to give it a try. I appreciate the tip!

[Mark Greenbaum]

I've been using spray on Lemon Pledge for all of my guitars since the 60's, to no ill affect, and cleans the strings and removes finger gunk well. Stay away from mineral oil, or any vegetable oils. Heavy doses of any of those can lead to wood swelling and fret popping out of the grooves. Whatever you apply should be removed quickly.