This may seem ridiculous, but...

[MikeHil]

I care more about these guitars than my automobile.

What kind of cloth are you using to wipe the neck down and polish the body with?

I figure guitars of this caliber deserve only the best treatment, right? Any old rag just won't do.

I figure if anybody understands, it's this group.

[tom]

the new breed of micro fiber cloths are pretty amazing. all sorts of people are selling them these days. they come in all kinds of colors. i don't have a brand name, i've gotten sample from industrial suppliers, and they do vary a bit, but all have worked nicely. our finish is so tough, that you can use just about anything though. the micro's are nice even without any polish or cleaner. i keep one at my bench and use it to wipe off the guitars after i play and engrave them.

[MikeHil]

You see... now that's what I'm talking about.

Thanks Tom

[-CM-]

The cloth I like best (I have 3 or 4 different kinds) is the micro fiber suede from FQMS. Very, very soft, and works well on finger prints. Plus they're only $8.

For polish, I like the Virtuosso polish. Really shines the guitars up and makes it easy to remove fingerprints.

Both are on page 8 of the FQMS accessories catalog here (http://www.fqms.com/static/catalog/catalog_accessories.pdf). You can just call them to order, their online ordering isn't complete yet.

[Stan Malinowski]

PRS has started to sell a micro-fiber based cloth which seems to work pretty well. As for polish, I buy the new stuff from Stew-Mac which is silicone-free. Most polishes have silicone in them which presents some major issues if you need to have part of your guitar's finish touched-up - it is VERY difficult to remove the silicone for proper adhesion of the repair.

[dkaplowitz]

Thanks for asking the question, MikeHil. I came here to ask what people were using, but I figured someone had asked it before, and lo the search function hooked me up.

I have some microfiber towels that seem really good, though I'm paranoid about them getting dust on them that might leave light scratches or swirls on the finish. I also find that most microfibers I've tried aren't good with anything wet....that they tend to leave lots of fibers behind. Maybe it's the cheaper towels that do this? I actually bought them from an auto detailing vendor online for my car and seem to recall them not being that cheap.

I also have some 100% cotton towels (also bought for my car) that I would never touch a guitar with (well maybe the unfinished part of the neck). They're pretty rough. I'd be interested to know where there are any really good, really soft 100% cotton cloths. Anyone recommend a place that sells them, or a type to look for?

Thanks,

Dave

[mwoeppel]

I just use a chunk of an old cotton t-shirt. seems to do the job just fine. :)

[andersonguy]

I use a cloth I made from an old t-shirt, works great. Meguires quick detailer to clean. Keeps em looking great ;)

Richard

[enr1co]

I purchased ONE of the highly recommended micro fiber cloths from FQMS for ~$7 a few months ago.
The following week, I was at costco in the automotive accessories section and found they sold them by the DOZEN for ~$10! I wasnt convinced they were the same cloth so I went home to pick up the one I just received from FQMS to compare them and they were the exact same material :D
(The only difference was my FQMS cloth was blue and the Costco ones
were yellow.)

I recently went back to purchase an additional bag as I
ended up keeping a few around the house and car for other polishing purposes
and dont seem be out of them for now. :(

Hopefully its a seasonal thing and they will stock up on them
again as spring approaches and more folks wash their cars.

[harrellab]

Hey Enrico,

I just saw the guitar pics in your signature links...beautiful, man!!!!!!!!!

[enr1co]

Hi Harrellab,

Thanks for the kind words of the guitars- now if I could only play them :p

[BFC]

I use some polish from Bill Chapin called Focus Fine Guitar Gloss every once in a while on the finish and metal parts with the same yellow buffing rags I use on my cars. This is the best polish ever in my experience. The Chapin gloss is also excellent for string cleaning. Put the fret protector under the strings and polish them with this stuff after playing the guitar. Strings have never lasted me so long since I started using this stuff. Check the link for a description. It does not have any silicone or abrasives.

Click here to order some... (http://chapinguitars.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/strings.html)

[Guitarded]

I am waiting for my first TAG... July!... but I have some prized acoustics that I have been taking loving care of with Googalies cloths... wet, dry... I use them on my optical lenses! You can read more about them and order them from www.googalies.com... highly recommended!

[John Price]

Your suppose to clean and polish these things? AH Oh!..... :eek:

:D

[brian b]

Your suppose to clean and polish these things? AH Oh!..... :eek:

:D
Yea I always kind of liked the way the spotlight reflects all the finger prints. :rolleyes:

[replayboy]

Dont get me wrong i just love these guitars, but..........i think the title of the thread got it right ( this may seem ridiculous..) is RIGHT !!!! whats wrong with a bit of old cotton T shirt ? Pull yourself together people !!!!!!!!!!!

[dpeterson]

the new breed of micro fiber cloths are pretty amazing. all sorts of people are selling them these days. they come in all kinds of colors. i don't have a brand name, i've gotten sample from industrial suppliers, and they do vary a bit, but all have worked nicely. our finish is so tough, that you can use just about anything though. the micro's are nice even without any polish or cleaner. i keep one at my bench and use it to wipe off the guitars after i play and engrave them.


pep boys has some.. got a 4 pack there for cheap. as for liquid polish i use the dunlop 65 stuff, which destroys anything else i've ever tried.

dave

[Casper]

Lemme preface this message by saying that I use dental floss to clean my nut during a string change. :D I have tried many polishes and cleaners. I take my old anderson T-shirts and cut them up into rags. I use GHS guitar gloss for deep cleaning once every 2 changes and use Mcguiars Quick Detailer or Mother's Showtime after every gig or for touch ups. I use Dunlop 65 string cleaner too. Tyhe dunlop 65 package also has fretboard cleaner and oil that works great. You used to be able to buy the whole shootin' match for about 50. Don't forget to get an old toothbrush to get the wax residue from under tough-to reach places, (pickguard, bridge, neckplate)The microfiber stuff pulls at my rough hands and I have seen no evidence it works better than a soft t-shirt.
Just a thought--Shaun

[Turrican]

Lemme preface this message by saying that I use dental floss to clean my nut during a string change. :D


dude, that's sick!
i thought it was a no pornography forum!
:confused: :eek:
:D :D :D

[Casper]

There was just no nice way to say that!!! ;)

[TSL]

As strange as it may sound, and it does sound strange. A cloth baby diaper is the best thing I've ever used. They are made of the softest cotton available. Finding them is a trip anymore but there are still some comercial diaper services around and who knows what google might turn up. Surgical towels are almost as good but require a few washings before they are truly soft enough. Just an aside, I'm not talking about used items in either case :rolleyes: :) Just think of the conversation value either one has draped over a guitar stand on Sat. night at a gig!

TSL

[MDWood]

I also use cotton diapers---for my guitar that is :). Especially the ones used by hospitals for newborn babies. The material is soft, absorbant, and great for wiping down the neck and strings after playing. Yes, they are hard to find and I am sure there are easier ways to acquire them than having a baby. Peope do recognize them however and I do get comments. I have found that it is best to agree with them and to openly admit that my Tom Anderson HDT IS my baby ;).

[TSL]

I couldn't resist http://www.clothdiaper.com/ Prefold cloth 4X6X4 $16.00 per dozen.

Terry

[Buckeye]

I know the name sounds rather odd, but I've been using Googalie microfiber cloths for a year or so and they are excellent. The weave of the fiber is extremely tight and very velvet like. Their websit site is googalies.com . Below is an excerpt from the site.

No cloth we have found (and we looked . . . for years) clean and maintain the finish of fine musical instruments like a Googalies™. We developed very specific formulations of our microfiber for this purpose. Why? Resale and trade value of fine instruments is hopelessly linked to their appearance though it has little to do with their tone or quality. Protecting the cosmetics of your instrument is simply a wise investment. Googalies™ will not scratch even the most delicate surfaces and will quickly and efficiently remove greasy finger prints (including the acidic residue that is a constituent of fingerprints), dust, and built up grunge like no other cloth. No chemicals of any kind are needed and at most, slightly dampening a portion of the cloth will provide the solvent characteristics necessary to remove even the toughest dirt. And when it comes to guitar strings, Googalies™ particular blend of microfiber and nylon is pure magic. Not only does this cloth clean the strings, but actually restores their brilliant tone thus extending the useful life of the strings by up to several months. Simply wipe strings vigorously after playing and the moisture left on the strings from your hands serves as the solvent needed to effect the cleaning. Googalies™ will not shed or leave fuzz balls no matter how hard you wipe. No chemical sprays or oils are ever needed and Googalies™ will treat the fine wood and metals of your instrument every bit as gently as you do.

[MikeHil]

Funny this thread popped-up again... I just ran out of the yellow Costco micro-fiber towels I purchased when I originally posted this thread

I love-em... but I might check these Googlies out.

[MikeHil]

Dont get me wrong i just love these guitars, but..........i think the title of the thread got it right ( this may seem ridiculous..) is RIGHT !!!! whats wrong with a bit of old cotton T shirt ? Pull yourself together people !!!!!!!!!!!

Guess I do "get you wrong"... excuse me for being passionate. Some might say being a "forum member" for a guitar manufacturer is excessive?

[thecaleb]

[QUOTE=Stan Malinowski]PRS has started to sell a micro-fiber based cloth which seems to work pretty well.

I have the PRS one and it works really well, i don't have any recomendations for the polish though, my dad bought some cheap knock off stuff in an incident i refer to as the great polish debacle of '03...

[billyguitar]

I bought the Costco yellow ones. They work great. They seem to really get the neck clean. Like Mr. Tom says the finish is so hard that I don't think one of these would scratch. I'm a little rough on my guitars (not on purpose) and I haven't scratched either of my TAs yet so I know that finish is tough. I also have a Fender 52 reissue Tele that has that super thick finish. I thought it was tough but I have knicked it so the TA is tougher.

[dannopelli]

Lemme preface this message by saying that I use dental floss to clean my nut during a string change. :D Shaun

Ouch... :eek:

Actually that is a pretty good idea. :) I use Big Bends Nut Sauce and it does gunk up a bit. Har to get out of the G B E slots. Thanks for the advice!

[AndyT]

Special cloths are great, but I always use a terry cloth towel and Johnson Kleen and Shine as was recommended 10 years ago when my first Andy was aquired. Occasional some GHS polish gets thrown on it too.

The finishes on theses things are tough as nails and after several tours around the globe in all kinds of wheather she still shines like new.

I tried out an amp at Guitar Center a while back and the sales staff were all asking if it was a trade in. NO WAY was my answer. ;)

[Casper]

Please, anybody chime in..

Pick scratches (swirl) are something I would love to ber able to get a hold of.
I am considering using a car polish or Mc Guiars swirl remover#12. I am afraid of damaging the finish though. The GHS polish is good for clean and shine, but I really want to get the "glass finish". I amy try it on my old classic before I screw my Cobra up. Tom, Roy....anybody?

Tanks- Shaun

[tom]

anything that will remove swirls or scratches is also removing the paint. if you do it enough, at some point there will not be finish left. probably not your goal.
you may want to look into a static or stick on pickguards ala acoustic guitars.

[OSCAR ZOROASTER]

Do you know if anyone is making fitted plastic static adhering pick guards for Andys as they do for PRS?

[tom]

haven't really looked into it here.

[dannopelli]

Car polish is far more abrasive than the GHS! Be VERY careful before using as you may dull the finish in an attempt to remove a scratch.

One option you might want to try for fine scratches, if GHS does not work, is a mix of toothpaste and water. Again be VERY careful, making a formulation that is very loose first.

I guess the question to ask is, which is worse, a scratch or a dulled finish?

Danno

[tom]

mcguires quick detailer is good for cleaning. they had a product call H7 swirl remover that was good fo light scratches, it may have a different name now. it would be a car store product.

[HiG]

I care more about these guitars than my automobile

+1 there Mike. The Andersons see a cloth everytime after playing (blue microfiber from Wallyworld), the poor truck only sees the cloth when it carries it home from the store to be used on the Andersons. I think I distinctly heard it say "what about me??" (sob)