Members bobc Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Is it ok to use lighter fluid to clean the finish of my Les Paul Standard Plus? I think GC uses Dunlop Guitar Polish & Cleaner on their guitars when they put them on display. They always have that sticky feeling. I want to clean that off and just wipe the guitar sown with a damp cotton cloth and then a dry cotton cloth after playiing. I read that the finish on these guitars allows the wood to breath so I don't want to defeat that by putting polish on it and stop it from breathing. Will lighter fluid get this off so I can just clean it with a damp cloth after that? Is there any posability that lighter fluid will hurt the finish? Can lighter fluid hurt any of the other parts of the guitar, like plastic, metal, ect...? Any help would be appreciated, thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ashasha Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Pretty sure that it is the same thing as naptha which is used all the time for cleaning up guitars. Not certain about the plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jelloman Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Consider the fact that Naptha (lighter fluid) is an extremely effective chemical solvent, and the finish of your guitar, be it Poly or nitro, is solvent-based... I would not TOUCH lighter fluid to your axe... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members itieu Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Yes you can, it's done every day. I never used lighter fluid I use naptha but as asasha said it's basically naptha. I wouldnt use it on plastic without testing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jelloman Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Yes you can, it's done every day. I never used lighter fluid I use naptha but as asasha said it's basically naptha. I wouldnt use it on plastic without testing it. By that argument Naptha isn't safe for a poly or nitro finish, which are plastic-based... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members eurotrashed Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 I hear it doesn't clean well without a match Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members itieu Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 By that argument Naptha isn't safe for a poly or nitro finish, which are plastic-based... Believe what you want, I know different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jelloman Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Believe what you want, I know different. ...hey, I'm just sayin'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members unworthy Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 From the Stew-Mac website: "Naphtha solvent is safe for use on most metal surfaces or guitar finishes, to remove waxes, grime, oils and sticker adhesives." D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members itieu Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 A LP Premium Plus with the aforementioned product. The squirt The puddle And afterwards That should end this conversation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bobc Posted May 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Thank you for the replies. I called Gibson and they said it was ok to use the nappha (lighter fluid) on the guitar, but they DO NOT recommend the Dunlop 65 Polish & Cleaner on their guitars. They ONLY recommend the Gibson products because they actually contain traces of the finish in them and will NOT stop the wood from breathing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members yz250f49 Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Sooo.... is it OK to smoke while cleaning it......???/ A LP Premium Plus with the aforementioned product. The squirt The puddle And afterwards That should end this conversation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Doctor49 Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Thank you for the replies.I called Gibson and they said it was ok to use the nappha (lighter fluid) on the guitar, but they DO NOT recommend the Dunlop 65 Polish & Cleaner on their guitars. They ONLY recommend the Gibson products because they actually contain traces of the finish in them and will NOT stop the wood from breathing. Smart Guy. This is the internet and "facts" are cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Electric Blues Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Windex will take off old grease and cleaners too. BTW, the wood on your guitar isn't breathing, it's dead. The finish is sealed in nitro. Nothing gets in or out. Miught as well be sealed in a thin coat of plastic. Modern nitro is very different from the old stuff and is a lot better BTW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jkater Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 I think Jimmy Hendrix once cleaned one of his strat with it. If it's good for Jimmy... Seriously, though, when I first read the title, my first thought was: "Whaaaaaaat?!?!?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members benzem Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 I think Jimmy Hendrix once cleaned one of his strat with it. If it's good for Jimmy...Seriously, though, when I first read the title, my first thought was: "Whaaaaaaat?!?!?!? Missed it by 2 minutes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Read this and feel good about using Naptha:http://www.buddyhollyandthecrickets.com/guitar.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Skunx Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Windex will take off old grease and cleaners too.BTW, the wood on your guitar isn't breathing, it's dead. The finish is sealed in nitro. Nothing gets in or out. Miught as well be sealed in a thin coat of plastic.Modern nitro is very different from the old stuff and is a lot better BTW. I would NOT use windex. It has amonia in it and can scratch the finish. I won't even use the stuff on my car windows. Naptha (lighter fluid) is used all of the time to clean and polish instruments. Keep it off the fretboard because it could dry it out if it is rosewood or ebony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jkater Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 Missed it by 2 minutes! Usually, people are two minutes quicker than me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pak066 Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 A LP Premium Plus with the aforementioned product. That should end this conversation! what bottle of lighter fluid cost $129? is it vintage or something? haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members itieu Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 what bottle of lighter fluid cost $129? is it vintage or something? haha Why yes it is vintage, aint she a beauty. Found her in the basement. 1 owner all original, Norlin era I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jhorne Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 I think GC uses Dunlop Guitar Polish & Cleaner on their guitars when they put them on display. They always have that sticky feeling. You're joking, right? I don't think I've ever seen a guitar at GC that had anything used on it before it was put on display (or after for that matter). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WakeTheDead Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 I've got a can of lacquer thinner lying around somewhere... Will that work as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members itieu Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 I've got a can of lacquer thinner lying around somewhere...Will that work as well? You bet, but you have to really soak the rag good before you apply it. And as soon as you do, you need to swirl it around fast, and push hard. Test it on your top before you do the back. It will work faster if you fill the pickup cavities first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WakeTheDead Posted May 24, 2009 Members Share Posted May 24, 2009 You bet, but you have to really soak the rag good before you apply it. And as soon as you do, you need to swirl it around fast, and push hard. Test it on your top before you do the back. It will work faster if you fill the pickup cavities first. GREAT thanks alot! You just saved me some $$ on lighter fluid!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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