Guitar Cleaning Products

Daiganzen

So Like everybody I have a nice looking guitar collection.

And Like most i am trying to keep them Pretty.

What products do you guys recommend and are their any normal household products that can be used?

MrTee

Dan Erlewine recommends nothing more than moist breath for most cleaning jobs, well, and a cloth.

MagicPigDetective

I'm using Gibson Guitar Polish, does a good job on all my guitars:

Accessories > Gibson Pump Polish - Peach Guitars

For the fretboard, I occasionally Planet Waves hydrate. Fretboard cleaning is a bit of minefield once you start looking into it, this thread will no doubt start another debate about it!  

Planet Waves PW-FBC Fretboard Cleaner – Thomann UK

One thing I'm not sure about is cleaning the bridge of my strat to get that dust out from the hard to reach places. Is there a technique, or ultimately do you need to take all the bridges off to clean them properly? I've been avoiding that after all the hard work to finetune their placement!

skunkwerx

MagicPigDetective said:

I'm using Gibson Guitar Polish, does a good job on all my guitars:

Accessories > Gibson Pump Polish - Peach Guitars

For the fretboard, I occasionally Planet Waves hydrate. Fretboard cleaning is a bit of minefield once you start looking into it, this thread will no doubt start another debate about it!  

Planet Waves PW-FBC Fretboard Cleaner – Thomann UK

One thing I'm not sure about is cleaning the bridge of my strat to get that dust out from the hard to reach places. Is there a technique, or ultimately do you need to take all the bridges off to clean them properly? I've been avoiding that after all the hard work to finetune their placement!

I use the music nomad something tool.. 
It has a soft brush at one end, useful for getting dust out!

WeZ84

I use the Crimson Guitars cleaner and restorative and get good results with those:
https://www.crimsonguitars.com/collections/guitar-maintenance-tools/products/fretboard-cleaner-and-restorative-set

Their fret rubbers are good for polishing up the frets too:
https://www.crimsonguitars.com/collections/guitar-maintenance-tools/products/fret-rubber-fret-polishing-abrasive

ArchtopDave

Used to use Gibson polish, but last year bought Virtuoso. Certainly the Virtuoso Premium Polish is good. I did buy the Premium Cleaner as well, but, to be honest, have yet to need using it.

MagicPigDetective

skunkwerx said:

One thing I'm not sure about is cleaning the bridge of my strat to get that dust out from the hard to reach places. Is there a technique, or ultimately do you need to take all the bridges off to clean them properly? I've been avoiding that after all the hard work to finetune their placement!

I use the music nomad something tool.. 
It has a soft brush at one end, useful for getting dust out!

This? That looks perfect for the job, thanks 

MusicNomad The Nomad Tool Set - The Original Nomad Tool & The Nomad Slim - Guitar.co.uk

skunkwerx

MagicPigDetective said:

skunkwerx said:

One thing I'm not sure about is cleaning the bridge of my strat to get that dust out from the hard to reach places. Is there a technique, or ultimately do you need to take all the bridges off to clean them properly? I've been avoiding that after all the hard work to finetune their placement!

I use the music nomad something tool.. 
It has a soft brush at one end, useful for getting dust out!

This? That looks perfect for the job, thanks 

MusicNomad The Nomad Tool Set - The Original Nomad Tool & The Nomad Slim - Guitar.co.uk

Thats the one. I have two lol. One I use as a duster for my pedals, the other for the guitars. 

I don’t have a strat, but a pack of cotton ear buds might reach if there are small nooks and crannies too. 

duotone

Just received a bottle of DMI GUITAR LABS Guitar Clean Instrument Cleaner. 

Will let you know if it’s any good...or if I should have just bought a can of Wood Silk! Am hoping it will work ok on my matt finish Vintage V100.

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/guitar-care-c56/cleaner-polish-c343/dmi-guitar-labs-guitar-clean-instrument-cleaner-p13199

LastMantra

A cloth, some water and a clean paint brush. 

munckee

Dr Duck's Axe Wax was highly recommended when I was looking and it seems to work well I use it on all guitars and good for rosewood, metal parts, plastics etc.

Sassafras

You're supposed to clean them?

Daiganzen

duotone said:

Just received a bottle of DMI GUITAR LABS Guitar Clean Instrument Cleaner. 

Will let you know if it’s any good...or if I should have just bought a can of Wood Silk! Am hoping it will work ok on my matt finish Vintage V100.

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/guitar-care-c56/cleaner-polish-c343/dmi-guitar-labs-guitar-clean-instrument-cleaner-p13199

I have some Woodsilk lavender Polish i have used on furniture but its that about it

Daiganzen

Sassafras said:

You're supposed to clean them?

Well it will stop them from rusting and also looks good in photos

Teflon

I have a set of soft brushes that I keep in guitar case for the hard to reach, fiddly parts, They're make up brushes and cost all of £1 from the pound shop. They do a great job, and are cheap enough to have a set for each guitar 

Cliff

SteveRobinson

MagicPigDetective said:

One thing I'm not sure about is cleaning the bridge of my strat to get that dust out from the hard to reach places. Is there a technique, 

Pipe cleaners are good for this, feed one under the intonation screws and work forward and back. The fat craft ones are best, I pinch then from my granddaughter's making box.

DrJazzTap

I use gerlitz guitar polish and a bit of lemon oil on the fretboards. 

thumpingrug

I run the vacuum over them from time to time especially if they are looking a bit dusty.

WindmillGuitars

We use Lizard Spit products for our own maintenance / workshop. Can highly recommend their VIP Polish (particularly for nitro finish / high gloss) and also their general guitar cleaner

https://www.windmillguitars.com/search?q=lizard+spit

monoamine

Dr Ducks Ax Wax. used it on everything, poly, nitro, fretboards you name it... Always does a stellar job of buffing/polishing/oiling any surface and smells great.

Slash'N'burn

Gibson pump polish, still on the same bottle 15 years on. Like that it leaves a slick hard finish, not sticky like some others.