It is high time you cleaned your guitar. You use the typical window cleaner or some light furniture polish but some parts need something different. Using the right cleaner is important for a couple of good reasons: make the job easy and avoid damaging the finish. Here is an explanation of the best chemicals to use for the job that you may never have considered. This post expands on the topic of The Care and Feeding of Your Guitar.
List of Chemicals
- Naphtha – lighter fluid
- Vinegar and baking soda
- All purpose cleaner or window cleaner
You may be thinking Naphtha? What is that? It may become your go-to friend once you understand what it is used for, especially for a gigging musician. I put that first for a reason with the all purpose cleaner at the bottom. Follow along for a beautiful result.
Sticky Problem? Think Naphtha
If you have seen the clip of Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival, this is the stuff he used.
Tape is everywhere, especially if you are actively gigging. It is great for all kinds of uses but seems to get stuck in the worst places leaving behind a sticky residue. If this is on the finish of your guitar, it looks terrible and collects every dust and dirt particle from 100 yards away! There may have been a label or sticker on your guitar that left behind a gooey spot. Maybe you want to remove a sticker that was “so cool!” back in the day.
Naphtha is your chemical.
While not a general purpose cleaner, any sticky residue can be easily removed with a few drops right on the spot. Naphtha will not damage the finish and it evaporates quickly. It is highly flammable, hence why it is used as lighter fluid. You can pick up a small can at your local drug/grocery store or larger quantities from a hardware store.
To remove stickers, simply squirt some around the edges and begin to work up an edge. As the sticker comes up, squirt more along the line where it is sticking and slowly peel it off. Don’t go too fast or you risk tearing the sticker and making more of a mess. Finally, wipe the area clean with a rag using the left over naphtha on the rag to remove any remaining residue.
Chrome, Gold and Vinegar
If you own a resonator guitar, you will really need this chemical. Our body chemistry can take a toll on the various metal parts of our guitars and that is where vinegar and baking soda can lend a hand.
The salts from our perspiration can leave behind a crust on pickup covers, bridges, tailpieces and resonator covers. Start by moistening a rag with vinegar and applying to the area. You should only need to wipe and not scrub. Scrubbing may cause more wear when the vinegar should do the job of loosening the crust on its own. Re-moisten the rag often.
With larger surfaces such as resonator guitars, add a little baking soda to make a paste. After the area has been sufficiently wiped down and any residue removed, let the guitar sit and dry. I have found that it takes time for chrome shine to return after cleaning. Something about the chemical reaction but be patient and resist the urge to rub until the part is shiny. Get the surface crud off and then let it sit.
Finally, Cleaning Your Guitar With All Purpose Cleaner
All purpose cleaners are good but should not be overdone. They contain water which leads to corrosion. The cleaner should also contain ammonia. Ammonia is an important ingredient as it does not leave behind streaks. You may think, “I can just spray it on my guitar and wipe, right?” No. That is the wrong way – remember corrosion?
To clean with all purpose cleaner:
- Spray a clean, soft rag (e.g. t-shirt) away from the guitar. Spraying directly on the guitar may get metal parts and circuitry damp causing problems later.
- Rub down the surfaces feeling for any crud that may need some additional attention. Use a cotton swab for tight corners and edges.
- Work under a bright light so you can see any streaking or residue left behind from the above two other cleaning efforts. Naphtha is very streaky and needs to be followed up by an all purpose.
That should result in a flashy, clean axe ready to impress your next audience!