Cleaning practices...

Jack_

So, I've had a few guitars come and go recently, and when I get one I always like to do a really deep clean, removing hardware, plates, polishing the body, polishing the frets, fretboard clean etc...

I wondered what other people do, I understand with some instruments, it adds character to have bumps and scrapes, but on modern Poly finished guitars I tend to find scratches just look shite and not characterful.

Does anyone else do scratch and swirl removal, and if so, how thorough do you go? And what is your method and product of choice?

Waste of time or worthwhile exercise? Discuss...

ftumch

Hmmmm i tend to give mine a quick wipe when I try to put them down but It won't leave my hand.

proggy

About once a month or so I blow the dust off.

pintspiller

Sometimes I use car polish. Mostly just a dry microfiber cloth

JD50

Just wipe the dust/skin/nail dust out from between the strings and body now and again. Will clean fretboard if needed when I change/break the strings.... About once a year tops, they're flatwounds. I just use my sleeve or a t-shirt.

richardhomer

If I get a used one I completely dismantle it and clean everything.

I REALLY dislike dirty guitars....

Sassafras

Apart from removing strings I never dismantle all the hardware to clean a guitar.
Whatever I can't see doesn't concern me.

But the main thing is, it's just not Rock&Roll.

Bridgehouse

Sassafras said:

Apart from removing strings I never dismantle all the hardware to clean a guitar.
Whatever I can't see doesn't concern me.

What if you can smell it tho?

WezV

I clean most guitars at some point, you have to be careful with relic's as often fake dirt can clean right off.  i try to make sure my fake dirt wouldn;t polish straight off without some effort

I like my guitars to be clean and well looked after even if they are old and worn, the two things are not mutually exclusive

Sassafras

Bridgehouse said:

Sassafras said:

Apart from removing strings I never dismantle all the hardware to clean a guitar.
Whatever I can't see doesn't concern me.

What if you can smell it tho?

You must be joking. I've been a smoker for the last 50 years.