Members IG0R Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 I use a high quality yellow Carnauba wax on my electric guitars. But I'm not sure it's a good idea to wax an acoustic. I don't think wax is recomended for high end string instruments like violins. Something about it filling the pores in the wood. But if a guitar already has a high gloss finish, what would it hurt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Queequeg Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 not recommended. silicone not so good.generally best is just a warm damp cloth is all that is needed or recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members PieterH Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 Wouldn't recommend it, when I have used it (in my younger more ignorant days...) it ended up leaving a smeary mess that took ages to get rid of. As has been said, high gloss should be durable enough and if the guitar is being treated any harder then wax ain't gonna help, my friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarist21 Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 Generally it's a bad idea. Depending on what kind of finish is on your guitar, some of the chemicals in the wax can do screwy things for the finish. Ellen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 To add to all of the above, most guitar finishes will get tiny little cracks and checks over a period of time, wax will fill those with white stuff that you can buff out and make them stand out. Best is to only clean with a damp cloth and maybe a special guitar cleaner (Gibson, Martin and other make them for their finishes). Never use a silicon product, especially if you think it will ever require any finish work (like drop filling a ding). And no lemon oil on nitro finishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JRUBICON Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 Just follow the manufacturers recomendations. For example, Breedlove says that carnuba wax is safe on their glossy finish. I just use a wet rag but, it is good to know that wax won't hurt the finish on my guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kimona Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 Using silicone-free wax sparingly on a gloss finish will do no damage. First use a "damp" cotton cloth to clean the surface. Immediately wipe dry with a second cotton cloth. Apply a tiny bit of wax to a third cotton cloth and wax the guitar finish carefully avoiding those areas you don't want to wax. Then, with a very soft cotton cloth, lightly buff the waxed surfaces to a brilliant shine.. Now, it looks better than new, and it will be much easier to wipe clean in the future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Krash Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 Just play the damn guitar - that's what it's for. If you want to fuss over something, buy yourself a funny-looking little dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fred Fartboski Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 I just wipe down with a soft 100% cotton or microfiber cloth every time after playing. Lightly dampen to remove any heavy grime. I'll polish them maybe once a year with manufacturer recommended guitar polish. Never use polish on a satin finish just a damp cotton cloth. I never wax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members missedmyexit Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 I use a little pledge on my guitars. Not often but every now and then. Probably not a great idea but I've always had good results and no ill effects. That said the above advice is the safer course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BusterBuster Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 I use a little pledge on my guitars. Not often but every now and then. Probably not a great idea but I've always had good results and no ill effects. That said the above advice is the safer course. +1 40+ years Never had any problems. I've been polishing my motorcycle with it to. Works great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kimona Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 Never use polish on a satin finish just a damp cotton cloth. Hmm... I pondered over polishing my satin finish for a long time. I finally gave it a go... and I'm extremely pleased with the results; the guitar is no longer "rough" to the touch, and now the finish has a beautiful light sheen. IMHO, it's a huge improvement. Plus, I haven't noticed any difference in tone since polishing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fred Fartboski Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 Hmm... I pondered over polishing my satin finish for a long time. I finally gave it a go... and I'm extremely pleased with the results; the guitar is no longer "rough" to the touch, and now the finish has a beautiful light sheen. IMHO, it's a huge improvement. Plus, I haven't noticed any difference in tone since polishing. My Taylor 555-12 has a satin finish and I just go by what the manual recommends: "satin" (non-gloss) finish. On these Taylors, you don't want to use any type of polish, wax, or Murphy's Oil Soap anywhere on the body, because they can damage the finish. The only polish we recommend for a satin finish is Ken Smith Pro Formula, likely sold wherever Ken Smith basses are sold. Otherwise, simply use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the surface, and follow quickly with a clean, dry cloth. Think of a non-gloss surface as a glass window; if you don't immediately wipe it dry, it will "streak." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NEWYORK Posted September 25, 2008 Members Share Posted September 25, 2008 Just play the damn guitar - that's what it's for. If you want to fuss over something, buy yourself a funny-looking little dog. Now,now Krash that was crass. I find that regularly polishing my stain finished guitars is wonderful as it helps build up a thick residue which assists the top in not vibrating, thereby reducing it's tone and volume. - Just wonderful ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zen501 Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 I use a high quality yellow Carnauba wax on my electric guitars. But I'm not sure it's a good idea to wax an acoustic. I don't think wax is recomended for high end string instruments like violins. Something about it filling the pores in the wood. But if a guitar already has a high gloss finish, what would it hurt? How hairy is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Krash Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kimona Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 Now,now Krash that was crass.I find that regularly polishing my stain finished guitars is wonderful as it helps build up a thick residue which assists the top in not vibrating, thereby reducing it's tone and volume. - Just wonderful ! I didn't think we were talking about "regularly polishing" or waxing a guitar. Geez, it's not a car! For me, it's simply a one-time thing... and then it's occasionally a damp cloth from that point forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wcstringuy Posted September 26, 2008 Members Share Posted September 26, 2008 I had a couple of questions for Martin about my new DX1 (solid spruce top, hpl back and sides) and this was their customer service rep's response: "Thanks for contacting us. I will send you the warranty and care and feeding packet that should accompany your new DX1. The bridge pins should stand out roughly 1/16th of an inch off the bridge. This will give longer life to the bridge pins while still providing ample pressure of the string ball ends to the bridgeplate. Do not force them all the way down. I suggest Johnsons paste wax as a coating to protect your top from dirt and stains. It is available at most auto stores. Here are some links to our registration page and temperature/humidity statements. Enjoy the DX1!!!" http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/technical/humidity.html http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/register.php Regards, Mr. Carmen A. Cortez CFM Customer Service Manager I still don't agree with wax on a guitar but this is what Martin told me last year (2007), weird. WC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NEWYORK Posted September 27, 2008 Members Share Posted September 27, 2008 I didn't think we were talking about "regularly polishing" or waxing a guitar. Geez, it's not a car! For me, it's simply a one-time thing... and then it's occasionally a damp cloth from that point forward. For you it's a one time thing.For most it's a once or twice a year thing maybe even every three months thing. ( those nasty finger prints ! )Ten years time you got a goo buid up soundboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mister kyo Posted September 27, 2008 Members Share Posted September 27, 2008 I had a couple of questions for Martin about my new DX1 (solid spruce top, hpl back and sides) and this was their customer service rep's response:"Thanks for contacting us. I will send you the warranty and care and feeding packet that should accompany your new DX1. The bridge pins should stand out roughly 1/16th of an inch off the bridge. This will give longer life to the bridge pins while still providing ample pressure of the string ball ends to the bridgeplate. Do not force them all the way down. I suggest Johnsons paste wax as a coating to protect your top from dirt and stains. It is available at most auto stores. Here are some links to our registration page and temperature/humidity statements. Enjoy the DX1!!!"http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/technical/humidity.htmlhttp://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/register.php Regards,Mr. Carmen A. CortezCFM Customer Service ManagerI still don't agree with wax on a guitar but this is what Martin told me last year (2007), weird. WC ever try it? or know of some success stories with it? just got a dx-1 and was interested in this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gary Palmer Posted September 27, 2008 Members Share Posted September 27, 2008 The vast majority of instruments remain perfectly fine with minimal use of cleaning products and a wipe over with a warm damp cloth, but keep things to a minimum if ever using wax polish and avoid those with silicone content at all costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Misha Posted September 27, 2008 Members Share Posted September 27, 2008 The idea of waxing an acoustic scares me! Like some people said, you should clean your guitar with a warm damp cloth and it should be enough. Why would you want to take a chance!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AndrewGG Posted September 28, 2008 Members Share Posted September 28, 2008 Just take out the back yard, give it a good hosing down and slather some Turtle wax over it; don't worry about the wood swelling up, just stand it next to a hot air vent for a few hours. I sort of like the rippled effect. I just breathe on mine and wipe down with an old T shirt. _______ Yamaha LL26Yamaha LL6Larrivee L-03SP (for sale or trade) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RizinRico Posted September 28, 2008 Members Share Posted September 28, 2008 ah just a little spit and sweat seem to do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NEWYORK Posted September 28, 2008 Members Share Posted September 28, 2008 Just take out the back yard, give it a good hosing down and slather some Turtle wax over it; don't worry about the wood swelling up, just stand it next to a hot air vent for a few hours. I sort of like the rippled effect. _______ Yamaha LL26 Yamaha LL6 Larrivee L-03SP (for sale or trade) Genius ! Love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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