How to clean a maple neck (nitro)???

I'm trying to remove a few years worth of finger funk build-up from a 35-year-old nitro neck, but I'm concerned about using any chemical that might damage the finish. I've tried just using warm water and elbow grease, but it seems to just spread it around, rather than remove it.

Any ideas appreciated.

naptha on a rag.

Naptha would work, but I would lean towards methylated spirits (I think you guys call it denatured alcohol?) as it isn't as harsh/doesn't stink as badly.

I do solvents in order of solvency. You already did the warm wet rag. Did you follow that by vigorous rubbing with a dry cloth? The dry cloth--I use diapers--is kinda a key thing to get the moistened crud off.

Let's say you did: then 1) IPA and 2) naptha/mineral spirits.

All OK for nitro if you just don't let the stuff hang around there forever.

Don't ever use a ketone like MEK, acetone, 'Goof-Off', etc. Kills nitro.

I've also used a soft soap like Murphys diluted on a damp rag to get grease off.

Water + dry rag has actually worked better for me than about anything over the years on really crudded finishes.

spit or naphtha. nothing more invasive.

Thanks for all the input, especially the recommendation to have an India Pale Ale. That is what IPA is, isn't it???

Looking at things I currently have on hand, what about some diluted Pine-Sol?

If you use a rag that's just dampened with the diluted pine sol, you're fine. You don't want it wet. Water will get through the nitro if left very long and ruin the finish. This is why grandma always insisted on coasters under the glasses.

If you use a rag that's just dampened with the diluted pine sol, you're fine. You don't want it wet. Water will get through the nitro if left very long and ruin the finish. This is why grandma always insisted on coasters under the glasses.

Thanks. That's how I will make my initial attack, then.

Scott