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  #1  
Old 06-03-2012, 05:03 PM
rgregg48 rgregg48 is offline
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Default French polish question for the forum Luthiers

I have heard many, many times to only use a damp cloth on french polished finishes
lately it has been said Smith pro,, and some new furnature polishes made for french
polish furnature is safe for guitars

ie non abrasive non petro distlates are not dangerous to the finish as
earlier thought.

any advise or insights??

Thanks,
Rick
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Old 06-03-2012, 06:58 PM
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Tim McKnight Tim McKnight is offline
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I can't answer your questions about the other cleaners... but ... Yes, a [slightly] damp cloth followed by a dry cotton cloth will be fine for routine cleaning. If you have a build up of grunge, naphtha can be used sparingly followed by an immediate cotton cloth. Solvents or cleaners with an alcohol base should NEVER be used.
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Old 06-04-2012, 03:04 PM
rgregg48 rgregg48 is offline
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Thanks Tim,
Rick
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Old 06-04-2012, 03:17 PM
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Bruce Sexauer Bruce Sexauer is offline
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Knowledge re french polish is rapidly being lost to attrition. i have never done it myself, and see little reason to learn. However, I believe that the old knowledge is unlikely to be superseded by more modern practitioners because little has changed, and less is known.
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Old 06-04-2012, 06:03 PM
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Damp cloth is best. Use repeatedly if very dirty. It will take off the dirt. Keep working it. A drop or two of dish washing detergent will not hurt anything. If you just want to polish it up, you can use a Carnuba wax, but I wouldn't put much. Some of the guitar cleaner/wax products are safe for French polish, but I don't use them on my guitars. Wax might be a good barrier to perspiration of you play with a bare arm. I don't recommend that though.
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