Cleaning a guitar body?

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Greg Simmons
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Cleaning a guitar body?

Post by Greg Simmons »

Hey folks, a fine guitar has come into my possession; it's just in need of a little cleaning as the previous owner didn't use a dust cover :cry: . It's a D10 w/metal necks/formica covered body. What are y'all using for a general cleaning of the fretboards, neck, body - something like Windex?
<i>�Head full of this kaleidoscope of brain-freight, Heart full of something simple and slow�</i>
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Ian Worley
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Re: Cleaning a guitar body?

Post by Ian Worley »

Rick Campbell published a great video with his tips on cleaning a pedal steel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H-I7Jv9Aww

NOTE: follow his advice at your own risk!
All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest - Paul Simon
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Greg Simmons
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Re: Cleaning a guitar body?

Post by Greg Simmons »

That's a good one :lol:
<i>�Head full of this kaleidoscope of brain-freight, Heart full of something simple and slow�</i>
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Bobby D. Jones
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Re: Cleaning a guitar body?

Post by Bobby D. Jones »

Be sure any cleaner you use has No Caustic compounds in it. Any caustic compound coming in contact with aluminum will etch it, Dull or discolor polished surfaces.
A small amount of Dawn dish washing detergent in warm water, Is a good start. If any gummy places where decals have been removed, May need some GooGone. To break down left over glue.
Look underneath the guitar, May be a lot of dust collected in cross shafts, pull rods, bell cranks, and changer area. A good thing I have found to use for cleaning. Split end of bamboo skewer about 1". Insert some cotton ball in split and twist tight around skewer. Making a Q-tip that will reach all areas and give you leverage to clean. Clean all dust bunnies first. Then to remove oil/grease. Dip one Q-tip in good cleaner, Rub problem spot. Then use clean Q-tip to dry surface. Once guitar is cleaned, A little polishing on the aluminum will make it look Better.
Good Luck in project, Happy Steelin.
Max Lee
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Re: Cleaning a guitar body?

Post by Max Lee »

My local guitar tech uses naptha as a nitro-lacquer safe cleaner. It can be acquired in convenient quantities as lighter fluid (zippo & ronsonol) and it naturally flashes off very quickly with no residue.

Not sure how it would fare as a degreaser for the undercarriage.

Ofc test on an inconspicuous spot as ymmv
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Bobby D. Jones
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Location: West Virginia, USA

Re: Cleaning a guitar body?

Post by Bobby D. Jones »

Naptha (Lighter fluid) has been use for years to quicky clean oil and grease out of changers and other parts of steel guitars.
If Naptha/Lighter fluid is used to clean on the guitar. Take the guitar outside, And be careful. No open flames, sparks or smoking.
Good luck, Be safe in this project, Happy Steelin.