Cleaning Gibson “Faded” Nitro

andyp

Hi folks.

I have a 2016 SG with the “Faded” nitro finish. It’s matte / satin and not glossy and I’ve never really cleaned it, other than dusting it and wiping the body with a dry cloth. I am very wary of ruining the finish by using the wrong cleaning product on it. Can anyone recommend a cleaner that will keep the finish, but also remove some light dirt etc that has built up a bit?

It’s nothing major at all… far from it, so maybe it’s a case of some water and be very careful? Any tips would be really helpful though.

Thanks.

Andy

Rabs

@SteveRobinson ;

GoldenEraGuitars

I don’t often advise this.. but I’d go in dry (sorry). Compressed air, dry cotton bud stick, various small paint brushes etc. Avoid polish and oil 

Winny_Pooh

I've used lighter fluid many times on Gibsons to clean gunk off, it's even better on the fingerboard to get the black muck off before you add some lemon oil. 

andyp

GoldenEraGuitars said:

I don’t often advise this.. but I’d go in dry (sorry). Compressed air, dry cotton bud stick, various small paint brushes etc. Avoid polish and oil 

Thanks.

This was my thinking up to now too. It just seems so thin and susceptible to damage or glossing it up accidentally. I’ll get a wee kit pulled together.

Rabs

The thing is, it will happen to the finish regardless of how you clean it just from wear and tear.. Just rubbing your elbow on the corner and where the back of the guitar contacts your body. It will polish up slightly over time.

Kittyfrisk

I think that you should learn to live with it.
 As the owner of an Gibson 60's Tribute Goldtop Darkback LP Reissue, the ultra thin nitro finish of that era should have been marketed as the Schrödinger finish.
It chips if you observe it & changes even if you don't.

andyp

That’s exactly how I’ve looked at it so far.

I’ve played it loads over the 5 years I’ve had it and the back of the neck has glossed and worn really nicely, and the edge of the body has too. I just thought I should try and clean it up a wee bit to give it some TLC, but the last time I looked at doing this I ended up leaving it. I’m taking care of the fretboard and keeping the guitar in good condition, so I think that’s probably all I need to do.

Sounds like I should revert to my original plan of not cleaning / polishing  it.

Thanks for the input everyone. I’m glad I asked to see what you guys thought.

SteveRobinson

Rabs said:

@SteveRobinson ;

Gibson Pump Polish is fine to use on this finish and will loosen any grime. It won't gloss it up.

andyp

Fantastic! Thanks!

andyp

That stuff looks hard to get hold of. Is it discontinued or something?

GoldenEraGuitars

Is this the same stuff?

https://www.rimmersmusic.co.uk/gibson-pump-polish-and-standard-polish-cloth-combo-p42365/s42841?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=gibson-pump-polish-and-standard-polish-cloth-combo-aigg-950&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6NOj9dDf8QIVSNTtCh2RIgLJEAQYAiABEgKnV_D_BwE

GoldenEraGuitars

andyp said:

That stuff looks hard to get hold of. Is it discontinued or something?

If it’s the orange bottle it’s entirely possible that covid linked supply issues are the problem 

SteveRobinson

It looks as if Gibson has reworked the packaging and ditched the distinctive orange label

andyp

I wasn't sure if that was the same stuff. I'll order some and be very very careful with it!

Thanks everyone.