> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://billyshuler.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # First Time Refret On Fender Stratocaster - URL: https://billyshuler.com/first-time-refret-on-fender-stratocaster/ - Published: 2026-02-14T12:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-07T18:33:46.000Z - Description: I was gifted a very nice Fender Stratocaster which had a couple bad frets. I really like the neck so I decided to try installing new frets myself, for the first time. This isn't a how-to, just a how-I-did-it. I certainly made some mistakes but I was left with a great sounding and excellent playing… - Author: Billy Shuler - Tags: Blog I was gifted a very nice Fender Stratocaster which had a couple bad frets. I really like the neck so I decided to try installing new frets myself, for the first time. This isn't a how-to, just a how-I-did-it. I certainly made some mistakes but I was left with a great sounding and excellent playing guitar. I used Fender medium jumbo fret wire and cheap tools bought from Amazon. ![Fender Stratocaster Refret title card](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-title.jpg) Fender Stratocaster Refret. ## Preparation The guitar had a couple of bad frets, but I really liked the neck, so instead of paying for a refret I decided to try it myself. To be clear, this isn't a how-to — it's just a how-I-did-it. First step is stripping the strings and pulling the neck. On a vintage-style Strat the truss rod adjusts at the heel, so the neck comes off anyway to get at it. ![Stratocaster with the neck removed on the bench](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-prep.jpg) Stripping the strings and removing the neck. ## Removing the old frets Factory frets are set with glue, so I heated each one with a soldering gun and a little solder to soften it before pulling the fret out. That first fret was the easiest — they get harder as you go. ![Heating a fret with a soldering gun before pulling it](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-removal.jpg) Heating each fret with a soldering gun before pulling it. ## Lesson #1: use fingerboard guards If I'd used fingerboard guards I would have been able to leverage against the fretboard instead of pulling straight out on the fret. Pulling straight up is the fast way to chip the board — and that's exactly what happened. Learn from my mistake and buy the guards. ![Two stainless steel fingerboard guards](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-guards.jpg) The fingerboard guards I should have used. ## The aftermath Pulling the frets left a lot of burned areas and chip-outs in the maple. The last fret was the toughest and took the biggest chips out of the board. ![Maple fretboard with scorched and chipped fret slots](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-damage.jpg) Scorched maple and chip-outs around the fret slots. ## Cleaning the fret slots Next I cleaned up the slots so the new frets would seat properly. I flattened the slot edges with a screwdriver shaft used as a straightedge, then cleaned out the slots with the back edge. ![Flattening fret slot edges with a screwdriver](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-slots.jpg) Flattening the slots with a screwdriver. ## Repairing the chip-outs The new frets covered most of the damage, but the worst chips still needed filling. I made filler from sawdust off a maple blank mixed with glue, pressed it into the chip-outs, and filed it level with the fretboard. Then I sealed the raw repair with Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane (Warm Satin), brushed on with the board masked in painter's tape. ![Filling chip-outs with maple sawdust and glue](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-filler.jpg) Maple sawdust and glue filling the worst chip-outs. ## Installing the new frets With the board repaired, I pressed in new Fender medium-jumbo fret wire using a fret caul in an arbor press, with cardboard protecting the neck. Cheap Amazon tools did the job just fine. ![Pressing new fret wire with a caul in an arbor press](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-install.jpg) Pressing new Fender medium-jumbo frets with a caul and arbor press. ## Lesson #2: cut the fret ends closer I should have cut the frets much closer to the fretboard before installing them — the ends stuck way out sideways and made the rest of the job harder. Trim them close first, then bevel with a fret file, crown, and polish. I used StewMac-style files, a sanding block, and metal polish, taping the neck between steps. ![New fret ends sticking out past the fretboard](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-ends.jpg) The fret ends sticking out — I should have cut them closer. ## The result Once it was beveled, crowned, polished and strung back up, the guitar played great. Despite the mistakes it came out sounding excellent and playing better than I expected for a first attempt. If I can do it, anyone can. ![Reassembled Stratocaster being played](https://billyshuler.com/content/images/2026/10/strat-play.jpg) Reassembled, strung up, and playing.