Your advice please

[idealassets]

I have a concern about proper surfacing, or polishing for 2 of my guitars:

1. New F512- This guitar was prepped by Sweetwater, where I bought it. After playing it quite a bit I have a sticky feeling on the neck. Its possible that my hand lotion didn't fully wash off after a good wash, and it rubbed in. I have been lightly wiping it with a damp cotton cloth, then with a dry cotton cloth, and let it sit to thoroughly dry. Now I want to apply some Fender guitar polish (that comes with a new guitar). Is this the right move to get back a nice slick feel to the neck?
I have used Martin guitar polish on my Martin guitar, with great results.

2. (2007) F50r- (This guitar is in "new" condition, although I bought it used) I just noticed with the lighting that this guitar was played and left with a salt rub spot on the "upper end of lower bout" before I got it, from somoene playing in a tee-shirt, or no shirt. I plan to wipe it lightly with a damp cotton cloth, then a dry cotton cloth, then let it sit. Then apply some Fender guitar polish, that was in the guitar case from new. Is this the proper thing to do?

3.If I play my 12 string with a D tuning, D A F C G D, should the neck be adjusted for this tuning, or keep it with the E tuning adjustment that it came with?

Thanks, Craig.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

The finish on your F512 is still curing. As you play it, you warm the neck and the finish may be softening. This will get better over time. For now, just clean the neck as you play and you can use a polish to help keep the neck slick.

Naptha [lighter fluid] will help get the grunge off of the top of your guitars.
Followed by polishing it.

If you are lowering the 12 string to D tuning, just look down the neck and see if the neck has the proper relief. it should look almost flat with a slight curve in the middle of the neck.
If there is too much curve in the neck, you may want to adjust it.
most of the time this won't be needed though.

 

[JTMartin]

Hi Craig, concerning question #2, I'd recommend Virtuoso Premium Cleaner and Polish. You can get each in a 4oz bottle as a set that won't set you back very much. The cleaner worked great for getting rid of the cloudy finish on my guitars caused by my sweaty arm. The polish actually helps keep it from getting there in the first place. Lighter fluid will probably work but I just couldn't force myself to use it.

 

[hojo199]

Hi Craig, concerning question #2, I'd recommend Virtuoso Premium Cleaner and Polish. You can get each in a 4oz bottle as a set that won't set you back very much. The cleaner worked great for getting rid of the cloudy finish on my guitars caused by my sweaty arm. The polish actually helps keep it from getting there in the first place. Lighter fluid will probably work but I just couldn't force myself to use it.

Hey JT, Where can I get some of this stuff?

 

[JTMartin]

Most of the big online music stores carry it such as this one, although the polish and cleaner are sold seperately.

http://firstqualitymusic.com/p_VIR-C/Virtuoso-Cleaner.aspx

It's a little higher than your average cleaner/polish but it works. Do a search for it on other guitar forums. Lots of satisfied users. Made a believer out of me.

 

[Bill Ashton]

Just my experience...

My Gibson J-30 developed that "salt rub" you refer to, and in the beginning Gibson's liquid polish took it away...eventually there was nothing that would take it off. This is a tobacco burst finish by the way, presume its nitro-based.

My luthier, Steve Sauve in North Adams recommended against any of the readily available polishes, and gave me a little bottle of some McGuires potion. He used it to polish the guitar out, following some non-related work he did for me. 16-year-old guitar looked brand new...then about three months later I play the thing with a t-shirt on...

"They're baaaack"...

The McGuires makes it a little better but it just must be my chemistry and whatever the finish is...

Just amke sure you do not use anything with silicon in it...

 

[idealassets]

Thanks so far. My next concern about my new guitar is if the finish is curing, how long should I put it up for to allow it to fully cure? Thanks, Craig.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I've had my 2005 D-55 for about 1 year now. The sticky neck was a lot more noticeable when I first got it. Now it is better but still becomes a bit sticky after about 1/2 hour of play time. I keep the neck clean with a polishing cloth between songs and it helps.

Someone here has said that some of the Tacoma Guilds were sprayed with a bad batch of lacquer, which may be the cause of the problem.
I don't know this for sure though.

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

This article by Frank Ford has some good advice on cleaning and polishing guitars:
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/GenMaint/Cleaning/cleaning01.html

~nw

 

[taabru45]

I had a little stickiness on my 2009 D50, in the past I've used a bit of Talc and a dry soft microfiber cloth to help buff out the fine scratches on my pickguard. one day I was brave enough to try it on my F50 too. it is a very soft mineral and does not scratch. I don't know why the stickiness was there but after doing that on my D50 it looks just beautiful, and had forgotten about the stickiness till now. seems to have worked fine....maybe it just buffed off what ever minor residue was on the top. Pure baby powder, talc. is what I used..reading about it, also would absorb oils and chemicals......Steffan

 

[hojo199]

Most of the big online music stores carry it such as this one, although the polish and cleaner are sold seperately.

http://firstqualitymusic.com/p_VIR-C/Virtuoso-Cleaner.aspx

It's a little higher than your average cleaner/polish but it works. Do a search for it on other guitar forums. Lots of satisfied users. Made a believer out of me.

Thanks! I'm a gonna get me some....