Guitar cleaning

[chasAK]

I got some lighter fluid to clean the fog off of my guitar, but don’t want to ruin the finish. What is the procedure in using the lighter fluid.

 

chasAK

[DanvillRob]

This oughta do it~!

 

 

[rolling56]

I got some lighter fluid to clean the fog off of my guitar, but don’t want to ruin the finish. What is the procedure in using the lighter fluid.

 

chasAK

 

 

hmmm i see the lighter fluid trick on forums for electric guitars but have yet to use it. I would make damn sure the finish on your guitar it up for it.

 

I have some Martin guitar polish here i use now and then with a cotton cloth.

[Buc McMaster]

Naptha (lighter fluid) works great for cleaning nitro finishes but you didn't say what guitar you want to clean or what it's finish might be.

[vincentw]

I don't recommend it for your acoustic, especially if you're not familiar with using it. Why not just use Gibson polish?

[drathbun]

Lighter fluid is basically naptha, which retails as Ronsonol (cheaper) or GooGone (expensive). It is great for getting finger gunk off fretboards or sticky stuff (residue from stickers, double sided tape or foam adhesive pads) off of any guitar surface.

 

Simply to clean a nitro finished guitar though, I wouldn't use it. I prefer to use Virtuoso guitar cleaner and polish. They are specially formulated for nitro finishes and do a great job.

[chasAK]

Danvil, thinks for the instructions and complete with pictures!! I wonder if Jimmy Hendricks used Zippo? I have an 08 j45mc. It has the fog where my arm rest. I have used Martin guitar polish, but that does not completely remove it. I have not been able to find the Gibson polish here in Anchorage. Almost ordered some online but the shipping was horrible! I’ve heard people promoting naphtha on this forum and I found an old can of Zippo lighter fluid which contains naphtha. So I thought I would give it a try. I have not seen the Virtuoso cleaner and polish, but I have not made an extensive look. I’m not out to ruin my guitar. I can live with the fog, but if this stuff works that even better.

 

chasAK

 

 

[j45nick]

I have not seen the Virtuoso cleaner and polish, but I have not made an extensive look. I’m not out to ruin my guitar. I can live with the fog, but if this stuff works that even better.

 

chasAK

 

Virtuoso is the way to go for this if you have finish fogging. You need both the cleaner and the polish. Go to their website and buy it directly from the manufacturer. You are unlikely to find it in stores. It's so good it's scary, and it is designed for nitro finishes.

[chasAK]

Thanks Nick!!, just order it. Shipping was very reasonable.

 

chasAK

 

 

[TommyK]

This oughta do it~!

 

 

 

Yup, that there ought to clear that fog right up.

 

Not sure how to remove the black spot afterwards.. but the fog? G-O-N-E.

[DanvillRob]

Danvil, thinks for the instructions and complete with pictures!! I wonder if Jimmy Hendricks used Zippo? I have an 08 j45mc. It has the fog where my arm rest. I have used Martin guitar polish, but that does not completely remove it. I have not been able to find the Gibson polish here in Anchorage. Almost ordered some online but the shipping was horrible! I've heard people promoting naphtha on this forum and I found an old can of Zippo lighter fluid which contains naphtha. So I thought I would give it a try. I have not seen the Virtuoso cleaner and polish, but I have not made an extensive look. I'm not out to ruin my guitar. I can live with the fog, but if this stuff works that even better.

 

chasAK

 

 

 

Chas, ya know, I'm not sure I'd try lighter fluid on your J45...... but it's your call. Maybe find a spot that won't show to see how it reacts with the Nitro finish.....(or find another Gibson you can try it on!).

 

I use a 2-stage polish I bought a couple of years ago on ebay. It was specifically formulated for Gibson's finish, and it works well. I've looked for it again, and haven't see it...but I need to get the brand name

off it and look more closely.

 

I notice my fingers rest on the DIF & Dove behind the pickguard, so I have to constantly look after that area.... on the 'Bird, my finger rests on the pickguard itself....just the way it is!

[Prof]

chasAK, would be good if you could report your success or otherwise. I have tried many different polishes,including Gibson and Martin, but none have really removed the forearm sweat induced light fogging. I have not used abrasive polishes as they will ( so lots of threads say) perhaps remove the fogging but they will also remove a goodly proportion of the nitro, so the end result is not necessarily desirable.

cheers

John

[G McBride]

I use Naptha on all of my Gibsons. I use it when I get a neck that is sticky to clean everything off of it. I usually follow up with Virtuoso guitar cleaner then polish when I have time.

 

Virtuoso is easy and fairly fast but not as fast as wetting a rag with Naptha and wiping quickly.

[jdd707]

Virtuoso is the way to go for this if you have finish fogging. You need both the cleaner and the polish. Go to their website and buy it directly from the manufacturer. You are unlikely to find it in stores. It's so good it's scary, and it is designed for nitro finishes.

I've had the same fogging problem on my AJ for years .... the guys in the guitar stores usually point to whatever polish is handy. One suggested that I simply consider the fog as part of the patina of the guitar. Actually a fair point since I'm not lookin' to own a beauty queen, just a queen. But I did just order the Virtuoso cleaner and polish on this recommendation..

 

Thanks Nick! Another good reason to check out this forum.