Guitar polishing

Mdred85 · **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

Ceri · **Posted:** Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:35 am

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

JPD · **Posted:** Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:49 am

I play safe and use Dunlop guitar polish
+1

joncarr1979 · **Joined:** Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:32 pm **Posts:** 329

better use a rag, and no polish with light water

VT BlackStrat · **Posted:** Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:44 pm

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.

Mdred85 · **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.

Ceri · **Posted:** Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:28 pm

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

Mdred85 · **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.

CAFeathers · **Posted:** Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:52 pm

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

nickbeatnik · **Posted:** Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:38 am

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

radio_friendly_unit_shifter · **Posted:** Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:42 am

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.

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