What kind of polish

Stefan · May 14th, 2008, 06:53 AM

and cleaning products should I use on a guitar? I am especially interested in knowing what I should use for my new Martin. I have heard so much horrorstories about products that harms the finish in the end.

Can you name any brands that are safe (and good!)?

Telemarkman · May 14th, 2008, 07:04 AM

I have a long experience with these products, and I have absolutely no problems recommending them wholeheartedly:http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?p...ts/maintenance

Lance · May 14th, 2008, 07:23 AM

I use mcquires car polish. I've also used lemon pledge in the past but folks say it might be a problem (I never had any issues)

sewkid · May 14th, 2008, 11:29 AM

I to used lemon pledge for years with no problem. After hearing that it was not good as it leaves a residue behind, I thought I would look elsewhere. I found that for a nitro finish, "3M's Imperial Hand Glaze' that is safe for clear coat and leaves a deep wet look shine. It make an older guitar gloss look like it new. It cost about $14. at automotive stores and a 16 oz bottle should last years. I am not for sure how it would work for Polly finishes. I tried it as most older Fender finishes were Dupont GM lacquer.

CatfishStudios · May 14th, 2008, 11:30 AM

I use GHS guitar gloss/waxless polish, actually buffed a Hwy 1 finish to a high gloss with it as well..and I usually treat rosewood fretboards with a little lemon oil.

Michaell · May 14th, 2008, 04:33 PM

Martin! Good man!

just make sure you use guitar polish.....by guitar makers....or guitar product makers.....start with Martin Polish....whatever they put in their polish they know is good for thier finishes!....Gibson, Fender, Dunlop, GHS, and so forth

stay way from polishes made for furniture, automobiles, guns, and dentures......

they're not guitars.....

furrfurrfurr · May 14th, 2008, 04:35 PM

with onions and peppers of course

E.D. Patton · May 14th, 2008, 04:45 PM

This is the best stuff I know of.

The "Guitar Honey" is very nice for fingerboards as well.

http://www.gerlitzusa.com/

swooda · May 14th, 2008, 04:59 PM

Spit and the bandana out of my back pocket....

studio1087 · May 14th, 2008, 05:08 PM

You should never use furniture polish on a nitro guitar.

I use Smith's Pro Formula cleaner on my Martins and all my guitars. It's like a mild soap with a clean smell. My luthier recommends it over Martin's polish because it leaves less residue. I love this stuff.....

Smith's Pro Formula - $3.75

May 14th, 2008, 06:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Stefan Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweden Age: 29 Posts: 1,820 37 Photos	What kind of polish and cleaning products should I use on a guitar? I am especially interested in knowing what I should use for my new Martin. I have heard so much horrorstories about products that harms the finish in the end. Can you name any brands that are safe (and good!)? __________________ 1981 Capri Orange Fender Telecaster 1976 Fender Stratocaster 2007 Martin Backpacker 2005 Martin HD-28

May 14th, 2008, 07:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,164	I use mcquires car polish. I've also used lemon pledge in the past but folks say it might be a problem (I never had any issues) __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

May 14th, 2008, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Michaell Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: on the bus Posts: 599	guitar polish Martin! Good man! just make sure you use guitar polish.....by guitar makers....or guitar product makers.....start with Martin Polish....whatever they put in their polish they know is good for thier finishes!....Gibson, Fender, Dunlop, GHS, and so forth stay way from polishes made for furniture, automobiles, guns, and dentures...... they're not guitars..... __________________ x

May 14th, 2008, 04:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
furrfurrfurr Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South of Heaven Posts: 2,214	with onions and peppers of course __________________ Hope I'm not too Messianic or a trifle too Satanic. Meow.

May 14th, 2008, 04:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
swooda Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Orleans, LA Age: 53 Posts: 692	Spit and the bandana out of my back pocket.... __________________ Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back.

May 14th, 2008, 07:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
Telemarkman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norway Age: 61 Posts: 4,422	I have a long experience with these products, and I have absolutely no problems recommending them wholeheartedly:http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?p...ts/maintenance

May 14th, 2008, 11:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
sewkid TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Indiana Age: 64 Posts: 10	I to used lemon pledge for years with no problem. After hearing that it was not good as it leaves a residue behind, I thought I would look elsewhere. I found that for a nitro finish, "3M's Imperial Hand Glaze' that is safe for clear coat and leaves a deep wet look shine. It make an older guitar gloss look like it new. It cost about $14. at automotive stores and a 16 oz bottle should last years. I am not for sure how it would work for Polly finishes. I tried it as most older Fender finishes were Dupont GM lacquer.

May 14th, 2008, 11:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 33 Posts: 727	I use GHS guitar gloss/waxless polish, actually buffed a Hwy 1 finish to a high gloss with it as well..and I usually treat rosewood fretboards with a little lemon oil.

May 14th, 2008, 04:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
E.D. Patton Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 880	This is the best stuff I know of. The "Guitar Honey" is very nice for fingerboards as well. http://www.gerlitzusa.com/

May 14th, 2008, 05:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,792 36 Photos	You should never use furniture polish on a nitro guitar. I use Smith's Pro Formula cleaner on my Martins and all my guitars. It's like a mild soap with a clean smell. My luthier recommends it over Martin's polish because it leaves less residue. I love this stuff..... Smith's Pro Formula - $3.75 __________________ JLG Carry On