Dremel and polishing wheels for frets?

[Domct203]

I find the Dremel type of rotary tools are too bulky and cumbersome for that type of work. I have a Ryobi polishing station that I use from time to time for polishing amongst other things. I like the size of the grip, makes it easier to control for that type of work.

The other think to consider when using polishing compounds in conjunction with a rotary tool, some require a lot of heat in order for them to work depending on the material you are working with SS vrs Nickel.

Couldn’t agree more, use the correct polishing compound. The MusicNomad Frine is made for this, no unnecessary heat needed.

 

[Tonedeaf]

Has anyone tried the FU-Tone Fret Magic?

 

[OrganicZed]

I love highly polished frets. My polishing routine is the following:

After masking the board, I start with the 3M micro mesh sanding papers working though the progression of 1,500, 1,800, 2,400, 3,200, 3,600, 4,000, 6,000, 8,000, and 12,000 grit. That basically yields a mirrored finish as it is, but I follow that up with black, green, and white polishing compounds on a rotary tool at about 5,000 RPM using the Dremel 429 1 inch felt polishing wheel (single grit per wheel to avoid cross contamination). That sequence will give you totally mirrored frets. I have never had an issue with excess heat buildup when using the rotary tool.

Stainless steel frets only need to be polished once and then they will stay glassy smooth for years. Nickel frets tarnish slowly and will benefit from polishing with the rotary tool (or the 12,000 grit micro mesh if I'm being lazy) about twice a year.

0000 steel wool leaves a nice luster on frets as well, but I don't like it because it makes an awful mess of metal bits. While that is a minor concern for acoustic instruments, it is a big pain on instruments with magnetic pickups.

 

[Rex]

I love highly polished frets. My polishing routine is the following:

After masking the board, I start with the 3M micro mesh sanding papers working though the progression of 1,500, 1,800, 2,400, 3,200, 3,600, 4,000, 6,000, 8,000, and 12,000 grit. That basically yields a mirrored finish as it is, but I follow that up with black, green, and white polishing compounds on a rotary tool at about 5,000 RPM using the Dremel 429 1 inch felt polishing wheel (single grit per wheel to avoid cross contamination). That sequence will give you totally mirrored frets. I have never had an issue with excess heat buildup when using the rotary tool.

Stainless steel frets basically only need to be polished once and then they will stay glassy smooth for years. Nickel frets tarnish slowly and will benefit from polishing with the rotary tool (or the 12,000 grit micro mesh if I'm being lazy) about twice a year.

That’s an effective polishing process for sure, but maybe a little overkill. You can cut your polishing time in half by eliminating some of those intermediate grits (e.g., try 1500, 2400, 4000, 8000, 12,000). Same result, half the effort. For the final polish, I use Blue Magic polish. One final step, and you get your mirror.

 

[OrganicZed]

That’s an effective polishing process for sure, but maybe a little overkill. You can cut your polishing time in half by eliminating some of those intermediate grits (e.g., try 1500, 2400, 4000, 8000, 12,000). Same result, half the effort. For the final polish, I use Blue Magic polish. One final step, and you get your mirror.

It is totally overkill. I mostly do it this way because I enjoy the process and the end result is awesome. I am sure that it could be optimized / streamlined for identical or similar results in 1/3 the time.

 

[Rex]

It is totally overkill. I mostly do it this way because I enjoy the process and the end result is awesome. I am sure that it could be optimized / streamlined for identical or similar results in 1/3 the time.

I get it. Watching those frets take a polish is akin to a religious experience. But over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the result more than the actual work.

 

[secondwindow]

It is totally overkill. I mostly do it this way because I enjoy the process and the end result is awesome. I am sure that it could be optimized / streamlined for identical or similar results in 1/3 the time.

It's a meditative time for me, taking care of the instruments. The room's quiet and I just take my time.

 

[mr_fender]

Sanding and polishing in general can be like that for me. Kind of Zen like. Sharpening knives too.

There's something magical about taking an ugly tarnished piece of metal and polishing it to a mirror shine.