It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:04 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Guitar polishing
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:42 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:27 am
Posts: 75
Hello. I have played and owned guitars for many years. I have always used furniture polish to clean and shine them without any obvious harm. I have recently been told that this is not a good practice. Please share your wisdom on this. Thanks


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:35 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:57 am
Posts: 13164
Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
Hi Mdred85: the conventional wisdom is that silicone in a polish is a bad thing to put on guitar finishes. Many furniture polishes contain silicone, which is why you have been told what you have.

However, some furniture polishes don't have silicone in them and it is fine to use those. The problem is some specify that they do have silicone, some specify that they don't - and some just don't tell you which it is.

Guitar magazine Q&As talk about that issue from time to time: unfortunately, since the demise of a well-known silicone-free furniture polish I can't remember which the recommended one now is, these days.

I play safe and use Dunlop guitar polish - when I use anything at all, that is. Mostly a dry cloth, some warm breath and plenty of elbow power is all we need. Good - and cheap.

Any help?

Cheers - C


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:49 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:53 am
Posts: 1686
Location: Brooklyn NY
I play safe and use Dunlop guitar polish
+1

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:03 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:32 pm
Posts: 329
better use a rag, and no polish with light water


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:44 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:16 am
Posts: 1171
Location: Rutland, Vermont
While the subject is being covered... what is it that the silicon furniture polish is supposed to do? I have used just a little Pledge sprayed on a soft cloth to clean my MIM on a few occasions and see no ill effects... so far. :shock:

What I am wiping off (finger prints and sweat from my arm) could probably be cleaned with a dab of warm water as well. 8)

_________________
You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:27 am
Posts: 75
Thanks Ceri it is helpful. However I am curious as to what the harm level is? I also used Pledge and others and never noticed any ill effects. This has been on Gibsons, Fenders and other brands. Thanks.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:28 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:57 am
Posts: 13164
Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
Mdred85 wrote:
Thanks Ceri it is helpful. However I am curious as to what the harm level is? I also used Pledge and others and never noticed any ill effects. This has been on Gibsons, Fenders and other brands. Thanks.

Hi again: I found this, albeit on the website of a non-silicone polish manufacturer - so take it for what you think it's worth:
Trade Secret wrote:
Why should furniture polish be silicone-free?

Silicone oil is an ingredient used in most commercial furniture polishes to impart a high degree of shine. Unfortunately, by raising the shine it can alter the apearance of the furniture permanently beyond what the manufacturer intended. Silicone penetrates into the finish and is virtually impossible to remove. Over time it can weaken the molecular structure of the finish. Tabletops, desks, cabinet doors and armchairs will yellow, soften and lose their natural shine. Silicone oil takes long to evaporate. As such, the surface stays smeary which most people don't like. Silicone is also the main ingredient in many lubricants. Hence, why so many polished surfaces feel greasy or slippery.

Furniture manufacturers and cabinetmakers have known for years that silicone-based polishes cause damage to fine furniture. In fact, most manufacturers forbid the use of any polish, lubricant or material containing silicone within the factory. Silicone can cause tremendous problems in the event that finishing becomes necessary, even for a professional refinisher. A finisher's nightmare!

To be fair, that pretty much echoes what I've read in guitar magazines which aren't trying to sell a specific product, so...

I was just in the supermarket this evening and saw several polishes sold as "non-silicone". And Googling "non-silicone furniture polish" returns so many products there's no need to bother naming them.

Still, my small bottle of Dunlop guitar polish has lasted me years. And years. Not a huge investment.

Good luck - C


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:38 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:27 am
Posts: 75
Thanks so much Ceri. That explains alot. I most def will pay closer attention to what goes on the guitar and the furniture. Again thanks.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:52 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:02 am
Posts: 8609
Location: Vacaville, CA USA
I have never used furniture polish on a guitar and never will.

I used to use Dunlop Guitar Polish, but recently changed to Lizard Spit. Yeah, I said Lizard Spit. www.lizardspit.com

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:38 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:30 pm
Posts: 378
Location: melbourne 'rock city' australia
Yeah, I always figured my guitar was not a piece of furniture. I like to clean guitars with something that's been made for guitars. Or spit, which works great, and is very cheap 8)

_________________
"...Compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees, I am an Apeman."


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:42 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:55 am
Posts: 4017
Location: Australia, VIC
NOOO, dont use furniture polish!!
I used to use it, and I was talking to my uncle (whose been playing for 37 years), and he gave me a half hour lecture on what furniture polish will do to your instrument. Thats the reason why I've got two growing cracks at the bottom of the beggining of the neck.

_________________
riley


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: