Hey!
I was playing my guitar the other day and I noticed it looked ver dirty (smudges, marks, etc.).
I was just curious, what could i use to clean/polish my guitar? My father suggested car wax, is that a good solution?
Classic rock is da best! Van Halen, Jimmy Paige, Jimmy Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC (of course), Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, what more could a guy like me want?
As far as I'm concerned, the only thing you need is a micro-fibre cloth. It'll remove any grease, sweat, etc..
If the cloth gets too mucky, wash it and it'll be as good as new.
I use a finer quality cloth to clean my specs - better than any of those nasty wipes.
I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
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Ok thanks but should I wet it down with water? Or something else?
Classic rock is da best! Van Halen, Jimmy Paige, Jimmy Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC (of course), Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, what more could a guy like me want?
For most things, you use the cloth dry.
I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
Greybeard's Pages
My Articles & Reviews on GN
Ok, thank you very much!
Classic rock is da best! Van Halen, Jimmy Paige, Jimmy Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC (of course), Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, what more could a guy like me want?
And no! Do NOT NOT NOT use car wax on your guitar.
(I'm not knowledgeable enough about the chemistry of car wax to say why, but I have a friend who did this recently- and the finish on his guitar is about done for...)
A dry microfiber cloth will do it in most cases- if you've really gummed it up with something or other, a quick wipe with a damp cloth is usually okay...
Best,
Ande
I use Johnson's Paste Wax on my guitars. I clean them first with a soft cloth (microfiber is great) and then put a thin coat of wax on them. Johnson's Paste Wax has a high carnauba content and no cleaners. The no cleaner part is important, as most cleaners in car and other polishes have either chemical or abrasive cleaners which might damage the finish on your guitar.
I also oil the fretboard with a high quality furniture oil a few times per year. Very lightly and not too often, as I don't want the rosewood to get soft.
I don't know if this is guitar 'gospel' advice, but it has worked for me for quite a few decades.
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As far as the car wax goes I would give you a "It depends". Abrasives would be my concern. A wax made for clear coat finishes or a non scratch formula might work, but why not use something designed for an object more closely related to your guitar. A furniture product. I use high quality furniture polish without issues. That said you need to be more careful with higher end guitars that might have a nitro cellulose finish. These finishes are beautiful and the wood is supposed to breath and resonate better with them. (Don't know if thats true or not) They can be fragile though. Cheaper guitars have polyurithane finishes and are pretty tough. Just don't use things that will scratch them. Nitro might be more sensitive to stuff but one perk is someone that knows what they are doing (luthier) can repair them. Alcohol can eat nitro, older guitar stands can eat them too. Doesn't it make you wonder why someone would make a guitar stand that the padding would ruin your guitar finish? I'm rambling. I use furniture polish.
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
I wipe them dry after each use, because it's quick and easy - still seems to be too much trouble for others from a different school of thought who wish to let grime accumulate? That is entirely up to the individual, doesn't affect me?
I put Orange Glo or Lemoil on the fretboard, it works and is safe on wood finshes too, on matte guitars as well, but can be streaky if you don't apply it uniformly. Martin Polish is oily or streaky, even though it is cut with water so I don't use it, but I have a few bottles from a time when I did use it. At least it is formulated right and has no silicones or polymers.
My 'treat' polish for the guitars is Dunlop Formula 65, though as I get older, I use it less and am not as enthusiastic with detailing and going for the high gloss. So back to the beginning, that's when a clean, dry wipe will do on most occasions.
http://www.cleverjoe.com/articles/guitar_polish_fretboard_cleaning.html
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I always wipe them down after playing and always wash my hands before playing.
"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --
I got some ghs guitar gloss from a local music store that works really well. Doesn't build up, gives a nice shine and cleans well
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