Main Forums => Technical Discussion => Topic started by: ncognito on December 05, 2009, 07:33:36 PM

Title: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: ncognito on December 05, 2009, 07:33:36 PM
In the past I've used a graphite pencil to apply graphite to the nut slots to prevent stings from slipping,  but on LGF advice picked up some GriphitALL Guitar Lube which is  a white ceramic goop.  What kind of cleaner will remove the graphite, and be safe for the nut and the guitar in general? 

Thanks in advance as always..  :donut :donut :donut :donut2

          DAVE   :wave
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: Michael T on December 05, 2009, 08:09:55 PM
How about a little napatha and a toothbrush
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: ncognito on December 05, 2009, 08:17:07 PM
Michael--

Thanks, but... just what is napatha?

         DAVE
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: Michael T on December 05, 2009, 08:23:25 PM
Lighter fluid, leaves no residue and evaporates completly
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: ncognito on December 05, 2009, 08:42:20 PM
Thanks, Michael.   :thumb

         DAVE
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: unclrob on December 05, 2009, 10:59:11 PM
I just use a tooth brush or some 800 grit sand paper folded so the grit is on the outside.This will clean all the crap out.
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: Daysailer on December 06, 2009, 01:17:01 AM
Quote from: ncognito on December 05, 2009, 07:33:36 PM
In the past I've used a graphite pencil to apply graphite to the nut slots to prevent stings from slipping,  but on LGF advice picked up some GriphitALL Guitar Lube which is  a white ceramic goop.  What kind of cleaner will remove the graphite, and be safe for the nut and the guitar in general?  

Thanks in advance as always..  :donut :donut :donut :donut2

         DAVE   :wave

+1 for unclrobs advice.

You definately do NOT need to use naptha to clean graphite from nut slots.
Naptha is a solvent that can be used to good effect to dissolve adhesive residue. like when removing pickguards.
Graphite can not be dessolved by any solvent I know of.  
The only possible value of naptha to help your situation might be the liquid helping to float the graphite to make it easier to remove (and this is a stretch)
The possible down side, (also a stretch) it might dissolve the glue holding the nut in.  Easy to fix tho.

You said that you are using the graphite to "prevent slipping"   Did you mean 'to prevent the strings from sticking' ?  That is what I use the graphite for.

ds
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: Mr_LV19E on December 06, 2009, 02:21:38 PM
 :+1: for sandpaper
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: ncognito on December 06, 2009, 06:17:37 PM
Quote from: Daysailer on December 06, 2009, 01:17:01 AM
+1 for unclrobs advice.

You definately do NOT need to use naptha to clean graphite from nut slots.
Naptha is a solvent that can be used to good effect to dissolve adhesive residue. like when removing pickguards.
Graphite can not be dessolved by any solvent I know of.  
The only possible value of naptha to help your situation might be the liquid helping to float the graphite to make it easier to remove (and this is a stretch)
The possible down side, (also a stretch) it might dissolve the glue holding the nut in.  Easy to fix tho.

You said that you are using the graphite to "prevent slipping"   Did you mean 'to prevent the strings from sticking' ?  That is what I use the graphite for.

ds


Yes, I did mean that I was hoping to prevent the strings from sticking.  Also, if I was to use sandpaper, should I be at all concerned about over-enlarging the slots?  Are there consequences, or am I overracting?

            DAVE
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: Michael T on December 06, 2009, 06:18:12 PM
I used napatha and a toothbrush after pencil lead and it cleaned right up, no probs, maybe I got luckey eh?
Title: Re: Cleaning Nut Slots
Post by: unclrob on December 06, 2009, 10:40:21 PM
Dave you gently draw it thru the slot twice,should be all you need.After you can use just a good used soft toothbrush to clean out any thing left over.