Anti-Smudge/Fingerprint Polish?

[TDavis]

I’ll be getting my hot little hands on the Martin OM-21 I ordered from Nazareth in the next week...since I got a little extra cash. I ordered it with an Ambertone top finish, and it’s a beauty if I do say so myself, but...

I saw two videos yesterday of Molly Tuttle playing two different Huss & Dalton OM’s...one a sunburst & the other a darker Amber burst, and they were COVERED with fingerprints & smudges! They looked terrible.

Is there a particular polish that will clean those off & ward against them in the future?

[lcgeek]

For less fingerprint smudges use less to no polish.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by davistld01

I’ll be getting my hot little hands on the Martin OM-21 I ordered from Nazareth in the next week...since I got a little extra cash. I ordered it with an Ambertone top finish, and it’s a beauty if I do say so myself, but...

I saw two videos yesterday of Molly Tuttle playing two different Huss & Dalton OM’s...one a sunburst & the other a darker Amber burst, and they were COVERED with fingerprints & smudges! They looked terrible.

Is there a particular polish that will clean those off & ward against them in the future?

Is this a serious question?

If it is, then I believe 'depths of minutiae' has actually become a viable topic in this forum.

[RustNeverSleeps]

Originally Posted by davistld01

I’ll be getting my hot little hands on the Martin OM-21 I ordered from Nazareth in the next week...since I got a little extra cash. I ordered it with an Ambertone top finish, and it’s a beauty if I do say so myself, but...

I saw two videos yesterday of Molly Tuttle playing two different Huss & Dalton OM’s...one a sunburst & the other a darker Amber burst, and they were COVERED with fingerprints & smudges! They looked terrible.

Is there a particular polish that will clean those off & ward against them in the future?

The single best way to avoid fingerprints on the top is to not touch it with grubby mitts

I saw the video you're referring to, and actually thought the same thing - I was surprised she/the shop didn't at least wipe it down before making the video. But really there's no need for fingerprints to be on the top (except on the pickguard where some people will anchor their pinky, etc.).

[robj144]

Just use a microfiber cloth and use water. Make sure you remove the label if it has one.

[DenverSteve]

I just use Dunlop 65 spray to wipe down when finished or when I want to clean a guitar up.

[JayBee1404]

A warm, damp cloth, followed by a soft, dry cloth.
If you really must use a 'polish' (although I don't know why you should), Music Nomad Guitar Detailer or Lizard Spit. A light spritz only.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

[Kyle76]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

Is this a serious question?

If it is, then I believe 'depths of minutiae' has actually become a viable topic in this forum.

At 2,500+ posts, surely you’ve seen this topic come up regularly. What’s wrong with being proud of a nice instrument and wanting it to look its best? If you can’t play like a master, at least you can look good.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Kyle76

At 2,500+ posts, surely you’ve seen this topic come up regularly. What’s wrong with being proud of a nice instrument and wanting it to look its best? If you can’t play like a master, at least you can look good.

Oh, I don't disagree. It was the concept of applying something to the guitar to prevent the occurrence of fingerprints that I found amusing.

[Pitar]

Originally Posted by lcgeek

For less fingerprint smudges use less to no polish.

None is the amount I use and haven't since my first guitar in 74. I wonder if the lack of polish use has sonic implications.

[rokdog49]

As a guitarist (of sorts), I cringe when I see an artist with a smeary instrument.
On the other hand, I also cringe when I see an artist who uses a guitar as a prop and it's all shiny and perfect because it's not really being played.

[stringjunky]

Originally Posted by davistld01

I’ll be getting my hot little hands on the Martin OM-21 I ordered from Nazareth in the next week...since I got a little extra cash. I ordered it with an Ambertone top finish, and it’s a beauty if I do say so myself, but...

I saw two videos yesterday of Molly Tuttle playing two different Huss & Dalton OM’s...one a sunburst & the other a darker Amber burst, and they were COVERED with fingerprints & smudges! They looked terrible.

Is there a particular polish that will clean those off & ward against them in the future?

A few drops of washing up liquid and warm water on a soft cloth and well wrung will get them off just fine. Any polish you put on will smear eventually, especially when mixed with skin oil as well. Been there and worn the t-shirt.

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by lcgeek

For less fingerprint smudges use less to no polish.

Here's your answer. I've never polished a guitar in 50+ years. And all my guitars are clean as a whistle. If they get a little grungy a quick wipe with a damp cloth followed by a little rub with a microfiber (terry) cloth. Most times the dry cloth alone is all that's needed.

[Rick Shepherd]

Quite a few fortunate people here haven’t had to deal with or worry about smudges, fingerprints, haze, etc., and I was one of those people until I bought my Martin. The finish easily becomes smudged, hazed, etc, and I have to constantly wipe it down. It hazes up easily and the neck gets smudged easily, which is annoying as heck! A simple wipe down would not get rid of the haze, so I bought a bottle of Gibson Pump Polish, in the orange pump spray bottle, which helps control the problem a lot. None of my Taylor guitars have ever had this problem. I have HAD to use this product to remove the haze, which no amount of cleaning or wiping would cure. It also reduced the amount of fingerprints. So, maybe some of you who have not had to deal with this finish problem (congratulations) should be aware that some guitar finishes seem to be very prone to problems. I can also tell you Taylor’s finish is awesome and I rarely ever have to do more than a simple wipe down.

[sid45]

I find hot breath and a wipe takes care of most, lightly damped cloth at worst. I am very anti cleaners and polish and for me thats worked for over 50 years