gmcdeadhead
Member
what would be a good guitar cleaner and polish to get to shine up a guitar , thanks gmcdeadhead
guitar polish
- Thread starter gmcdeadhead
- Start date
Taylor Martin Guild
Senior Member
While you are cleaning your guitar, don't forget to oil the fret board.
I like to do this twice a year on my guitars.
I also use it on the bridges, while I have all the strings off.
I like to do this twice a year on my guitars.
I also use it on the bridges, while I have all the strings off.
You know what guys? I saw a post about "Guitar Scratch Remover" a while ago and I remembered thinking it sounded iffy at best.
I went to their site at http://www.guitarscratchremover.com and checked out some of their videos. Looked semi-promising, so I ordered their little kit.
Let me just tell you... it worked spectacularly on a bunch of used guitars that I have bought. Scratches from picks, belt buckles, etc... went away completely or lifted almost completely. I have no affiliation with these guys at all, but it works really well so I figured I'd chime in here.
If you're gonna get it (which I'd like to mention is not terribly cheap), go for the players kits that come with 3 jars. The blue jar is the serious stuff for lifting scratches, etc... The red jars are for regular waxing and cleaning.
The stuff is top notch. I haven't seen any sprays compete with this at all.
Just my 2 cents!
I went to their site at http://www.guitarscratchremover.com and checked out some of their videos. Looked semi-promising, so I ordered their little kit.
Let me just tell you... it worked spectacularly on a bunch of used guitars that I have bought. Scratches from picks, belt buckles, etc... went away completely or lifted almost completely. I have no affiliation with these guys at all, but it works really well so I figured I'd chime in here.
If you're gonna get it (which I'd like to mention is not terribly cheap), go for the players kits that come with 3 jars. The blue jar is the serious stuff for lifting scratches, etc... The red jars are for regular waxing and cleaning.
The stuff is top notch. I haven't seen any sprays compete with this at all.
Just my 2 cents!
6L6
Senior Member
I use a damp cloth followed by a soft dry cloth.
Guild Beginner
Member
On vintage finishes, I use naptha transfered from one damp cloth onto another via a patting method. If you have any finish checking, you really don't want to get anything in the cracks. With this method, the naptha is so light on the cloth, it's nearly evaporating. It cleans and shines really well. It streaks less than spit, which also works great on cloudy spots like where your arm rests.
Naptha is my (and many others') "go to" cleaner for guitars. It works great on frets. I dip a q-tip in it, wet the fret (with masking on the board), then hit the fret with OOOO steel wool. You could perform sugery on an ant on my frets.
You can buy naptha at a hardware store. One can for $6 will last you a long time. It's like a light acetone.
Naptha is my (and many others') "go to" cleaner for guitars. It works great on frets. I dip a q-tip in it, wet the fret (with masking on the board), then hit the fret with OOOO steel wool. You could perform sugery on an ant on my frets.
You can buy naptha at a hardware store. One can for $6 will last you a long time. It's like a light acetone.
I've heard that Naptha is a good residue remover, but isn't much of a polish.
I usually (like when i buy a used guitar) do the following:
1) hit it with a water and mild dishsoap mix (like Taylor recommends in their videos, which are great BTW)
2) Very light Naptha if the guitar appears to have any residue on it at all
3) Dunlop 65 spray (it says cleaner/polish, but its not much of a polish at all)
4) Then I hit it with guitar scratch remover (blue jar for scratching, etc... red jar for a regular polish) and wax on, wax off.
5) Enjoy.
I usually (like when i buy a used guitar) do the following:
1) hit it with a water and mild dishsoap mix (like Taylor recommends in their videos, which are great BTW)
2) Very light Naptha if the guitar appears to have any residue on it at all
3) Dunlop 65 spray (it says cleaner/polish, but its not much of a polish at all)
4) Then I hit it with guitar scratch remover (blue jar for scratching, etc... red jar for a regular polish) and wax on, wax off.
5) Enjoy.
Guild Beginner
Member
No, naptha isn't a polish, but has made my vintage guitars shine in the way a 60-year-old instrument should. I don't "polish" them with anything but hot breath and a rag.
geoguy
Senior Member
Fender sells some good products that I think actually come from Meguiars (sp?), the automotive-finish product company, including a swirl-remover & a polish.
I wouldn't recommend the Martin "polish" that I tried a year or so ago. Basically just an oily spray (can't recall exactly what type of oil, but cod liver comes to mind). Yech.
I wouldn't recommend the Martin "polish" that I tried a year or so ago. Basically just an oily spray (can't recall exactly what type of oil, but cod liver comes to mind). Yech.
My guidlines were set by my local luthiers, and they are simple:
1. The best polish is no polish at all. If you must, due to a very dirty guitar, use a polish, use Meguiar's #2 followed by #9. Never, ever, use a polish that has silicones or petroleum distillates in it. Almost ALL commercially sold products do, even when not specifically listed; this includes Martin and Gibson products, as well as most Dunlop products. If you can't determine by the labeling, ask the manufacturer specifically.
2. For the fretboard, use a neutral, genuine fruit/nut oil; never anything with petroleum distallates or silicones. Lemon oil does NOT qualify, as most lemon oils are pretty much petroleum oil based (i.e. distallates) with a lemon scent. I use walnut oil (non polymerizing). Oiling of the fingerboard should be done very rarely, like once a year for a heavily played instrument, for non professional players, once every two years should suffice. Let the oil sit on the wood for about a minute, and wipe off the excess.
Kostas
1. The best polish is no polish at all. If you must, due to a very dirty guitar, use a polish, use Meguiar's #2 followed by #9. Never, ever, use a polish that has silicones or petroleum distillates in it. Almost ALL commercially sold products do, even when not specifically listed; this includes Martin and Gibson products, as well as most Dunlop products. If you can't determine by the labeling, ask the manufacturer specifically.
2. For the fretboard, use a neutral, genuine fruit/nut oil; never anything with petroleum distallates or silicones. Lemon oil does NOT qualify, as most lemon oils are pretty much petroleum oil based (i.e. distallates) with a lemon scent. I use walnut oil (non polymerizing). Oiling of the fingerboard should be done very rarely, like once a year for a heavily played instrument, for non professional players, once every two years should suffice. Let the oil sit on the wood for about a minute, and wipe off the excess.
Kostas