The frets on your guitar can become worn down over time if you play it a lot.The location of the strings can affect the playability of an instrument.When you dress frets, round them so they are even again.It is possible to dress frets on your own.If you have a prized instrument, it's better to leave this process to a professional.
Step 1: Check neck straightness by using a straight edge.
To make sure the neck is level, place your guitar on a table or counter.Sanding the frets could damage your guitar.You can check the levelness with a straight edge.If the neck isn't straight, use a key to adjust the rod.Only a quarter turn at a time is how to make small, incremental adjustments.
Step 2: There is a cover on the magnetic pickups.
If you want to cover the pick-ups on an electric guitar, use a dry cloth.When you sand the frets, they will attract metal.The pole pieces of your pickup will be ruined by these shavings.If you don't cover the pickups, tiny filings and particles of metal dust will get into places where you cannot see them.
Step 3: Place your guitar at the table.
Don't let your guitar move while you're crowning the frets.Wrap straps around the body to hold it to the table.To make sure the guitar won't move, test your method.To support the neck, use a block of wood.It helps absorb the pressure from the sanding so you don't break your neck.Don't let the support lift the neck up.
Step 4: It's a good idea to tape off your fretboard.
Put masking tape across the fretboard so that only the frets are visible.You should leave the ends loose so that you can peel them off when you're done.The guitar's finish may be ruined if you wrap the tape around the neck.You may want to use narrower tape for the higher frets.The tape on the frets should not stick to the guitar.
Step 5: Use a permanent marker to mark the highest point on each fret.
The marks show which parts of the fret have been leveled and which have not.You have sanded down enough when all of the marker is gone.You will have to repeat this process many times.A marker keeps you from sanding too far.
Step 6: Sand the frets with your leveling bar.
The leveling bar has a 320-grit sandpaper on it.The frets should be run against the sandpaper side.To make sure the frets are being sanded evenly, move it from side to side.Make sure the frets are level when you can't see markers on the tops.If they are, sand again and make marks on the highest points.You might have to do this many times before the frets are level.
Step 7: Use a crowning file to round the edges of the frets.
The tops of your frets will be flat after sanding.The crowning file can be used to round off the edges of the fret.This part of the process takes some time to complete.You can mark the center of the fret to help guide you.You'll only have a thin line of marker on the top of the fret when you're done crowning.There are different types of crowning files.It's best to use a 300-grit on guitar frets.You can set metal plates around the fret to prevent damage to the fretboard.You can purchase them separately if yours didn't come with plates.If you're careful, the masking tape should protect your fretboard.
Step 8: Use sandpaper to smooth the frets.
Once all the frets are crowned, use fine-grit sandpaper to remove any nicks and scratches that occurred when you were leveling and crowning them.Sand the frets gently with 320-grit sandpaper.After dusting them off, repeat the process with 600-grit sandpaper.One last time, use 800-grit sandpaper to dust them off.
Step 9: The metal should be vacuumed up.
At this point, the table and fretboard are likely to be covered in metal.A hand vacuum is the easiest way to clean this up.If you don't clean up the metal and dust, it will affect the finish of your guitar.
Step 10: There are fret ends that extend beyond the neck.
The ends may jut out beyond the sides of the neck if your guitar has been stored in a low-humidity environment.It makes playing more comfortable if you file them down.After flattening, the ends may be sharp even if they don't extend beyond the neck.The fret end is where the guitar's finish is located.
Step 11: Put a finishing pad on the frets.
After dressing frets, mesh finishing pads are used to polish them.You can use any mesh pad if you don't have finishing pads.Rub the frets gently and evenly.If you want your guitar to be more comfortable to play, you need to smooth out the surface of the fret.
Step 12: The fretboard has tape on it.
Take the loose ends of the tape and pull them off slowly.The wood underneath could be damaged if you rip it off quickly.The tape should be loosened if it has curled around the neck.Do not damage the finish.Pull evenly so you don't leave anything behind.Your fretboard could be damaged when you polish it.
Step 13: There are metal particles in the neck.
Take a vacuum or soft cloth and run it over the fretboard and around the neck.Make sure you have all the metal dust that can damage the finish or make playing uncomfortable.If you're dressing the frets on an electric guitar, it's a good idea to remove the metal particles from the table and guitar.
Step 14: Oil soap is used topolish the fretboard and frets.
There is a fretboard cleaner that can be sprayed directly on the fretboard.Rub the oil soap into the wood using a buffer or steel wool.Once you're done polishing, wipe the soap off with a dry cloth.