Do any of you have suggestions for keeping your strat in good condition for a very long time?

I have a standard 2001 American Stratocaster with a maple fretboard!

Any ideas on how to take care of Rusting Hardware, dark smudges on fetboard, peeling paint, buildup around frets, etc.........
Also, any advise on how to keep your guitar's tones sounding great!??

Thank you all for your suggestions!

In your case, if you are looking to restore, find a good luthier.

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2008 Am Dlx Strat HSS
2008 Am. Std. Ash Telecaster
2009 Gibson SG Standard
Hot Rod Deville 410
Blues Jr. NOS
Marshall MG100DFX
2006 Martin HD-28
1993 Alvarez Regent

No, my guitar is in great condition, I'm only asking for suggestions to KEEP it looking and sounding good. Sorry for the unclear info. Thanks for your comment though!

Use only high quality cleaning/polishing goods. I like the Fender/Maguires stuff.
Clean your string after EVERY time you play - this not only makes the strings last longer, but helps prevent build up of oils and basic grunge on the fretboard.
After a gig give the guitar a thorough cleaning to remove sweat, oils, smudges, beer, etc. A quick wipe down with a clean rag is usually sufficient after a little practice. I use the cloths that come with the Maguires kit, a bit expensive but worth it.
Use naphtha (lighter fluid) to clean off heavy buildup on metal parts, and even on the finish if needed. A very little goes a long, long way, so be very careful. Sometimes the fog from your breath is all thats needed to take off light soil/smudges.
There are good fretboard cleaners and replenishers out there, use them depending on the material. A little lemon oil really helps out a thirsty rosewood 'board.
This is a big one - when going from one temperature extreme to another, allow the guitar to adjust in the case before opening. Sudden changes can be very hard on the finish.
If you leave in a cold winter climate, try to keep the humidity in the house (or room) at a reasonable level. Overly dry air, from heating, can cause changes in the wood that can stress the finish or ruin your neck setup and intonation.
That's a good start. I'm sure others will have ideas, or issues with what I'm saying. I follow the tau of Dan Erlewine from Stewart-MacDonald.

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I grew up in the "Dark Ages" of gear, when a '63 Strat was just an old guitar!

Wipe the neck and body down with a chamois after playing it. I would keep it in the case - if you leave it out on a stand or something it will get dust on it and grease from the air (smoking will agravate that). Also leaving it out where the sun can shine on it thru the window will heat it up and fade the colors.

Wiping it down is always a good idea to remove skin oils and sweat which can degrade the finish on the neck and body.

Watch the zippers on gig bags!! Open the bag all the way don't just unzip part way and pull DUMN DUMN DUMN, I have some nice scratches I will try to polish out this weekend.


BigJay, Full Metal Jacket

Once my dad had a cheap acoustic that he took to a little party. It was during the winter time (snowing) and the heaters where on everywhere. When we were leaving the party, my dad didn't bother putting it in a case (because it was a cheap guitar anyways) and when he stepped outside, the wood cracked on the body all the way up to the neck.

I'm glad it happened to a cheap guitar so that I learned a lesson before I could ruin one of my nice guitars!

Thanks for all the suggestions!

haha, we only learn from our mistakes!

I use a hardshell case, but thanks for the heads up!

I keep a few of them out but most are kept in there cases. Bigjay I use BeeWax on My screws also but to keep the screw from causing wood spliting when being turned in. It also is good for keeping saw blades sharp when you wipe it on them before use. I buy one pound Bees Wax blocks for like 10.00 a block.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

full metal jacket

I always thought the case was the safest place to store it in!

If you want it to stay nice, don't touch or play it, and don't scratch it.

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Fender Forum member # 152,101 and proud of it!

I have no friends here,,,-snif- snif-

A certain amount of wear and tear is inevidible. But I wipe my strings down after each use and polish it as needed. As the above statement mentions, if your that worried about scratches or dings then you`ll never get to play it. Unless your a collector play and enjoy the guitar, that`s why you got it right ?

im a noob but heres one,
avoid plaing it whilst wearing a zipped top thus avoiding unnessesary scratches on the back.

however i don't know why you would want to keep it perfect anyway unless you plan on selling it, all these little marks and scratches give a guitar it's own charictor,
especialy wear on the fretboard, it shows a loved and well played guitar.
to many people want a guitar because it is "cool" to have a guitar.
a guitar is to be played and loved, not just for it's looks but it's sound and feel.
just my humble opinion.