Emerald owners: What are you cleaning your guitars with?

[Methos1979]

Just wondering what the general consensus is out there for cleaning your Emerald guitars, especially the tops? What have you tried and what works, what does not? I can't remember what Emerald recommends and there was nothing on their website after a quick look and search.

I've got some photo op sessions coming up and I want to get rid of all the greasy-looking fingerprints, hand prints, forearm prints, etc.

[Long Jon]

I simply strap her to the roof rack and run it through the car wash.

Two birds, one stone

[Long Jon]

Ok, damp soapy sponge , clean rinse, then dry with a lint free cloth also works....

I would not apply any type of polish, plenty shiny already.

I use a polish, occasionally. I don't use it for the shine so much as for a protective layer against grit, tears of frustration, and so forth. Most of the time I use a soft-wet cloth and finish with a soft dry cloth.

I've heard that Jon just roof-racks his and runs it through the car wash. I suspect that he does, but that can't be good for the electronics.

[Captain Jim]

A damp miracle cloth, followed by a dry miracle cloth. So shiny - it's a miracle!

I do wipe them with a polishing cloth after each session. Probably sacrilegious: it's a Taylor cloth.

[kramster]

Originally Posted by EvanB

I use a polish,

And I am 1/4 Polish...hope this helps

[jdinco]

A guitar polishing cloth pretty much cleans up everything on there, unless you're dripping hamburger juice or something like that on it. I do have some SCGC guitar wax that I may put on there, just cause I can.

[mot]

T-shirt, eye glass tissue, whatever is handy. Repeat.

I think Mot nails it, at least in my eye.

[Methos1979]

Originally Posted by kramster

And I am 1/4 Polish...hope this helps

I tried a polish... sausage. Didn't have the desired effect.

[Samuelch]

MacNichol Guitars posted this video awhile back that may be helpful.

http://https://youtu.be/t4o5xEFFEf4

Samuelch;

Very nice! A good answer for the question and good shot at the past. I think about Michael every now and again, with great appreciation. He provided a forum, sales, repairs, and gatherings for CF players when CF was still fighting its way into the guitar world. Thank you for the reminder.

[NoodleFingers]

I have a RainSong, not an Emerald, but all I've ever used (or needed) to clean it was Windex and a paper towel.

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by EvanB

..... I think about Michael every now and again, with great appreciation. He provided a forum, sales, repairs, and gatherings for CF players when CF was still fighting its way into the guitar world.....

I wish I had been able to visit Michael's shop. But just about the time I got cleared to drive again (post surgery) he announced that he was closing the retail operation. Salt Lake City is a fairly easy 6.5 hour interstate drive from me, closer than any other major city with guitar shops. I also discovered on-line guitar forums about then while recuperating, and never got to participate in his CF forum.

OK, get ready to suck some wind. Here's what I used to do to clean and polish my guitars--tooth paste. And it smells good! Haven't tried it on my CFs. But go ahead. As advertised, toothpaste does eliminate grit and does polish.