Hi Guys.. I Recenlty became the proud owner of my first Fender, a Select Stratocaster HSS Antique burst.

I want to be sure to look after the finish of my new guitar properly but I'm unsure what products are best to use. I know that the guitar has a gloss laquer finish on the body, but does anyone know if it is Nitrocellulose of polyurethane? I believe most of the American new Fenders use polyurethane (appart from custom shops), but the Fender select may have Nitrocellulose as it's been designed to have a custom shop feel? I have found only one reference on the internet to confirm this though. If it is nitrocellulose do these require more delicate care?

The included manual referred to "lacquer finishes precautions and care card" on how to care for the finish, but there was no such card included in the case.

What are the best products to use to care for the gloss finish of the body, and the satin finish on the back of the headstock and neck? I do try to care for my guitars well, but in the event that I do get any small scratches is there anything safe that I can use to minimise them?

Thanks for your help!

Thumb down for Fender, for not providing simple enough specs with their guitars - even on this price class.

Did a search on "nitrocellulose" on the Fender site; your guitar is not listed - and also deductively, the nitro finish is something Fender wants to boast on, so we can be fairly sure you got either polyester or PU. (Haven’t had the need to check, but I believe the Fender jargon’s terms ’gloss finish’, ’satin finish’ and ’flash coat’ all point to PU..?)

Anyway, both are very resistant; you can use just about any cleaning product available for guitars. Since you obviously aren't keen on relic/roadworn looks, get your cleaning clothes and chemicals from the Fender product line; polish #0990501000; cleaning cloth #0990404000 or #0990524000 etc. found on the "accessories" pages.

(Can't help but mention the term "first world problems", not meaning to offend though - it's a quality instrument that deserves TLC.)

Here's a review I found of the Select Strat that makes reference to it being nitro finish

http://m.musicradar.com/gear/guitars/el ... eview#next

But I'm not sure if this is correct. It's the only reference I can find

Some suggestions for cleaning a nitro-finish:

1. Dawn Dishsoap original unscented and warm water - soft damp cloth, wipe dry after.
2. Naptha (aka zippo lighter fluid!) - just stay away from that unless the guitar has decades of filth built up.
3. Carnuba Wax - Yep plain ol' car wax or maybe even the fancy dunlop/planet waves stuff. Meguiars cleaner/car wax is pretty good stuff.
4. Gibson Guitar Polish - works on a gibby, should work on a fender.

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Guitars: Fender Stratocaster HSS (MIM), Fender Telecaster (MIM), Gibson SG special, Carvin C350 cobalt, Yamaha Aex500, Squier VM Jazzmaster, Squier Affinity Stratocaster (1996). Amps: Peavey Ultra Plus - XXX 4x12 Cab, Sovtek Mig 100 - Sovtek 4x12 Cab.

I've been using gerlitz products on my other polyurethane guitars, but just wanted to be sure these are safe on my new fender if it is nitro. I have a gerlitz carnauba wax too which I use. The wax says its also on satin finishes, but wouldn't using this on the satin parts cause them to buff to a shine?

You can check the finish on the guitar once and for all by contacting the Fender consumer relations service.

If it is nitro, (still doubt that; you should have had the "lacquer finishes precautions and care card" in the package...), or if you want to be on the safe side, just use the products specially designed for nitro; Fender's #0990524000 cloth and #0990538000 cleaning kit are safe.

On PU you can, as said, use just about anything. On Gerlitz products I've no experience, but generally speaking: I never wax any part of my (PU, nitro) guitars; I feel the surface becomes sticky.
I just clean the guitars with moist or dry cotton, lots of elbow grease (& a little Zippo fluid if the dirt won't come off otherwise).

Any carnuba or synthetic wax is going to bring out a shine by nature. Whether or not it will ruin a satin finish is a question of how crazy you'll be buffing it. For satin, I'd use a simple dawn soap and warm water with soft cloth to clean and dry up, that will keep it clean without altering the finish, but it won't wax/protect the finish.

I'm sure some will cringe - but a light shot of lemon pledge - enough to get a light layer of protection on it is what a lot of people use on matte or satin finishes. Specifically, a lot of motorheads use lemon pledge on their cars and trucks to keep their satin/matte paint jobs clean, protected, new looking, and it doesn't shine and buff up the matte/satin like carnuba wax does. A quick google will document this claim haha. For different finishes, its best to use products that suit those finishes. The nice thing about dawn and water, it won't hurt any finish if well dried afterwards.

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Guitars: Fender Stratocaster HSS (MIM), Fender Telecaster (MIM), Gibson SG special, Carvin C350 cobalt, Yamaha Aex500, Squier VM Jazzmaster, Squier Affinity Stratocaster (1996). Amps: Peavey Ultra Plus - XXX 4x12 Cab, Sovtek Mig 100 - Sovtek 4x12 Cab.

So I got an answer back from fender and the fender select strat is nitrocellulose, but its standard thickness, not thin-skin. Just thought I'd confirm this for anyone else who has a fender select and wanted to know!

Did you win it? They recentley gave away a Fender Select. Congrats if you did. Let us see pics.

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Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. George Washington
No picture = No equipment
Fender CD-60
Squier Deluxe Stratocaster
Squier VM Tele Thinline

No I didn't win it, I bought it with my hard earned cash! Money well spent though I think, I absolutely love the guitar, it really is a beauty. I will try get some photos when I have some daylight, and will post them in a new thread!

Select specs say "Gloss Lacquer". Lacquer is nitrocellulose lacquer. Polyester and polyurethane are not lacquers. Simple.

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Bill