I didn't find too much on the specifics of caring for a nitro finish other than "don't use polish"

OK, what do you use, if anything?

This question is about a 200? Highway one Jazz Sunburst body, but I suppose it could apply to any Fender nitro finish, right?

I found soft cloth and hot air to be the best cleaning method. I have to keep an eye on the soft cloth situation but have plenty of hot air.

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No no and no

+1

The original nitro finishes were all based on automotive paints.

Ever see anybody waxing and polishing their '59 DeSoto or their '62 Impala?

Nitro-celluose lacquer polishes just fine......but avoid abrasive rubbing compounds as the finish on a guitar is much thinner than that on a car.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Yep!

exactly arjay.

there are plenty of spray and wipe water based polishes
out there that will do a good job.
sure you can use a oil but that will blow any chances of a
easy finish repair if you need it.
not sure if its water based but i use virtuoso priemium polish
with fantastic results.
for a quality weekly dusting, i use Winzer Reflections surface enhancer
on all my guitars. it says for non porous surfaces but i have no problems
with it on any of my nitro stuff. with all nitro and any product, its best to
wipe in 1 direction.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

yep when "good enough" is good enough.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

its just good stuff. i have no issues whatsoever with it on my nitro.
i know a lot of antique instrument folks use it. thats how i caught wind of it.
just a little drop or two will go a long way with it. GC has this stuff too.
it has this, fine instrument smell to it too. lol

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Thanks for the heads up on Virtuoso. I've got a Wildwood "Thinskin" I want to use it on.......

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Don't get too excited about a nitro finish. It was popular on cars long ago only because it dried quickly (so cheap to do). Very toxic lacquer, that's why it's rare now (EPA). Wax it, polish it, do nothing, either way it doesn't look fantastic new, and will look worse soon after. I had a hand made English car in the 80's that was one of the last to still have a nitro paint job. The paint was the first thing to go on the car. Thank God, for better finishes.

I loves me some toxicity................

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Yes.

Caramel-thick poly-goo looks sooooooooo good on fine furniture.



Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

+1 on Virtuoso. I use both the cleaner and Polish. I used it on my LP Sanndard Faded and it gave me a very nice soft sheen that enhanced the look of it many-fold.

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Current Gear: Ron Kirn Barnbuster Tele,
Marshall: 1971 SuperLead 100>1997 1960-TV, bunch of pedals
and a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe named Veronica

I've had great luck with a product called TRICK GUITAR POLISH. I apply it with a soft cloth. After 11 mo's the finish still looks brand new. I'll buy it again.

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Vintage Hotrod '57 Strat, 81 G&L L2000 Series E Bass, Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp.

oh no way. i dont want no long term stuff. i want to have to reapply at least monthly.
this way i know its on there. the long term stuff is usually built off of a polymer.
though desirable for auto's and boats, not what i want on my classic, muscle car, or my guitar. i want to rub it on myself every so often. i feel better about it and i dont have to worry if the protection is there or not. i know it is. just mho.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Let It Wear Out!