How to polish frets with 2000 grit sandpaperSlyd's method: sand with 2000 grit, then flip the paper and buff. Our Workshop Wizard slyd wraps fine waterpaper (1500 and 2000 grit) around a small aluminium jig with a concave edge, fine-dresses each fret, then flips the paper so the cloth backing rubs the fret — this is what buffs it to a mirror shine and removes the fine scratches 2. He does the same trick without a jig: sand away file marks with 1200 or 1600 grit, then flip the sandpaper over and rub, rub, rub until it polishes up beautifully 8. Mask the fretboard first. Use tape or, as slyd suggests, a homemade template from stiff plastic file dividers with a slot cut for the fret — protects the wood and speeds things up, no taping per fret 3. Finding the paper. 2000 grit isn't at every hardware store — Builders often only stocks up to 1200. Try Mica or an automotive paint supplier, who stock 2000 grit wet-and-dry as standard 4. Watch out for: Skip compounds like Brasso — Alan Ratcliffe, our Guitar Doctor, warns it leaves white residue in the grain; naphtha or fine steel wool are his picks for tarnish instead 3. Dremels are risky unless you're skilled — one slip and you gouge the fingerboard; mask off the board and use a soft wheel if you try it 2. Nail buffer trick — the four-sided buffing sponges (sides graded 1–4) polish frets nicely with zero risk to the board 2. Note: polishing only shines frets that are already levelled and crowned — if they're worn or buzz, that's a dress job first 5. From these forum threadsWhere to find a small handheld polishing tool to polish guitar frets. (2012): Slyd's concave-jig 2000-grit polish method with photosCleaning tarnished frets (2014): Alan on Brasso vs naphtha and steel wool for fretsWhere to find 2000 grit sandpaper (2012): Where to actually buy 2000 grit sandpaper in SAWhat is the best way to file down frets ? (2010): Why polishing comes after levelling and crowningCuring fret buzz due to uneven frets? (2011): Slyd's flip-the-paper buffing trick
