I'm an idiot, how do I fix this? *All fixed now!*

[Glacial Pace]

Ok, I don't think I've messed up too bad but what the best way to polish an ebony fret board?
My new ESP came pretty dirty and I thought I'd give it a good clean, I used a green scouring pad with a tiny bit of soap on the fret board and the frets. They look much better cleaned, the frets had some oxidizing on them which I got off too, I then oiled it and it looked good. However, now that the oil has soaked in I can see that I have left a bunch of tiny little scratches in the surface of the ebony. It looks fine from any distance, and doesn't affect the playability at all but I'd like it to be back to where it should be, more of a gloss than a matt finish. What do I do? Super fine emery paper? Some sort of polish?

[GrantB]

If you use ultra fine steel wool, make sure you tape off the pickups...you don't want those little steel hairs getting into the coils and causing problems.

[Glacial Pace]

And go with the grain? I went across the way with the green pad which i think was silly.

[Bg]

yes with the grain, I'd use a synthetic though, like this https://www.bunnings.co.nz/norton-wool- ... _p00274394 and then the 0000 version. way safer for your guitar, and saves taping up if you've just used a green pad, it should come out pretty easily.

[Glacial Pace]

Yeah, just a green pad. Can I also use that stuff to polish the frets? If so I guess I sort out the finger board, then cover out in masking tape and then do the frets.

I've got a few other questions about cleaning this guitar up, I'll post pics this evening and see if yous fellas can help me out.

[Bg]

I'd just rub it up and down the entire length (oh-err) it not going to harm the frets and will give them a polish. Good thing about it is that you're not going to get steel wool bits under your frets either.

[Glacial Pace]

Thanks guys, I'm down to Dunners this weekend so I'll pop in and get some of that stuff. Here is a pic of the scratches I put in it



Also, Any ideas on what the best way to get this looking white again? I think its just been used a lot and some dye from the previous owners t shirt has rubbed off on the corners, if its there for good that's fine but any tips?

[Bg]

Try some lighter fluid, naphtha, if that doesn't move it you may need to try some swirl remover, car polish stuff

[mttn3]

The slight scuffing doesn't stop it being a super nice guitar though.

[Glacial Pace]

Thanks, I am aware of that. I flipping love it. My finger tips are just recovering now from the weekend. It just annoys me that I was so silly, never mind. I'm confident I'll get them out.

[Bg]

For future reference, lighter fluid works great on fingerboard crud too! make sure its the stuff for 'petrol lighters' though, you don't want the gas lol...

[sirvill]

I'm pretty sure my ebony boards look like that? Are they scratches or just the wood grain?

[Glacial Pace]

I'm pretty sure my ebony boards look like that? Are they scratches or just the wood grain?

Scratches for sure, but quite light, confident I'll get them out but I'm going to wait until the next string change to have a go at them.

[sirvill]

Maybe I've just munted all my ebony board guitars then - quite possible

[kwhelan]

scratches? you sure that just looks like grain to me, don't they all look like that,maybe just been a bit dry and shrinkage, needs a good oil