adamjs69 Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Ok, I bought my new Southern Jumbo on Friday and I'm really bonding with it. However, I've noticed that fingerprints and "gunk" from normal playing takes a ton of effort to remove. In fact, the upper bout (the part where my right arm lays across the guitar) is starting to become cloudy and won't wipe off. I'm notorious for corroding strings and turning fretboards green, but is it normal for the finish to react so quickly to body chemistry? It doesn't really bother me that much, I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced this type of thing?
onewilyfool Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 I've had a Martin sunburst that used to get "forearm fog" when I would play without a shirt, so I always played with a long sleeve shirt when I played, and no problem. If I got any fog, a quick cleaning with Martin Guitar polis, fixed it right up!....good luck with yours...
Acousticologist Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Gibson also sells a polish and cloth pack. Easy to give it a quick wile down after you play. Or planet waves micro fiber cloth. I know - I love the look of a sexy clean guitar with a beautiful rich sunburst. . Having it full of muck is pretty annoying. Kinda like driving a Ferrari covered in mud. It's still better than driving a Toyota, but less wow factor.
adamjs69 Posted February 2, 2011 Author Posted February 2, 2011 I've had a Martin sunburst that used to get "forearm fog" when I would play without a shirt, so I always played with a long sleeve shirt when I played, and no problem. If I got any fog, a quick cleaning with Martin Guitar polis, fixed it right up!....good luck with yours... "Forearm Fog"...that's what it is alright...lol I hit it with some guitar polish and a polishing cloth but it's still there. It's better but still there. I just thought it was weird to be happening this early on with this guitar. I'm assuming that the nitro finish is really, really thin and sensitive to acidic body chemistry. Oh well, doesn't look like it'll be too long til this guitar gets some "character"...
J-1854Me Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 It's probably your skin chemistry and the guitar's finish still 'gassing off', I'd guess. I tend to cloud up especially a sunburst finish that way too, but not as bad, from your description. Better invest in some long sleeve cotton shirts, and keep the polishing cloth handy! Fred
Gilliangirl Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 And another important thing, just in case you didn't know, is that bug spray will destroy the finish on your guitar too. And that won't rub off so easily. So when the snow melts and the bugs come out, keep the bug spray away from your guitar. I found this out the hard way.
Lars68 Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 I have had the same problem with my guitars. I was recommended to try Virtuoso Polish and Cleaner. No other polish has ever worked for me, but Virtuoso takes care of the gunk and the guitar looks wonderful. There is no better polish to be found. Lars
Lefty Guy Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Ok, I bought my new Southern Jumbo on Friday and I'm really bonding with it. However, I've noticed that fingerprints and "gunk" from normal playing takes a ton of effort to remove. In fact, the upper bout (the part where my right arm lays across the guitar) is starting to become cloudy and won't wipe off. I'm notorious for corroding strings and turning fretboards green, but is it normal for the finish to react so quickly to body chemistry? It doesn't really bother me that much, I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced this type of thing? I have similar issues with my sunburst J-45, but only during the summer months when I'm wearing short sleeves. I have found the attached product a great help! http://www.oasishumidifiers.com/sleeves.html
Shambolic Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 I'm not sure about putting polish on a nitro finish constantly. As I understand it soaks through the finish and adds to the density of the wood reducing the resonance of the top.
jannusguy2 Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 +1 for Virtuoso Polish and cleaner. Never fails.
BigKahune Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 I have had the same problem with my guitars. I was recommended to try Virtuoso Polish and Cleaner. No other polish has ever worked for me, but Virtuoso takes care of the gunk and the guitar looks wonderful. There is no better polish to be found.... +2 I use pump polish for quick clean ups. But for taking care of forearm haze and the like, I use the Virtuoso Cleaner, followed by the Virtuoso Polish.
zombywoof Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 No problem unless you got Alien Spit Sweat or something. I always assumed in was the salt in your sweat causing it. You could just lean over the guitar and blow some warm, moist breath onto it and then wipe it down. I am wary of using polish too much but that Virtuoso stuff is amazing. It took decades of sweat, nicotine and Lordy knows what else off my '58 Tele. When done I did not even recognize the guitar.
onewilyfool Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Mine seemed to appear more often whenthere was High Humidity too.....
GotTheSilver Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 I have an Advanced Jumbo and the same thing happens. As others have pointed out already, the Virtuoso Cleaner is an amazing product. I don't clean my guitars often, but when I do I use the Virtuoso Cleaner and follow it up with the Virtuoso Polish. Does an amazing job.
J-1854Me Posted February 3, 2011 Posted February 3, 2011 ....You could just lean over the guitar and blow some warm, moist breath onto it and then wipe it down. I find that taking the guitar out to a movie and feeding it some wine once in a while helps too....
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