Cleaning guitar with pledge?

[YamaYairi]

I use Martin Guitar Polish. They sell it, and they make guitars so they ought to know what to use on them. Hasn't damaged any of my guitars yet.

[Coffeeaddict]

Originally Posted by YamaYairi

I use Martin Guitar Polish. They sell it, and they make guitars so they ought to know what to use on them. Hasn't damaged any of my guitars yet.

That is my thoughts with Taylor and their recommendation of Express Shine..

Seems though that the only agreement on this (as with many topics) is that there is a lot of disagreement over which, if any product one should use on their guitar.

[Ikeepem]

If when in doubt about previous products, I use Formbys Furniture Build-up remover and proceed with Gerlitz. Smudge Off and Guitar Honey on the fret boards and bridge or lightly dampened microfiber

[jmjohnson]

Martin's? Yes. Express Shine? No! (because of the silicone. But then I also don't use Linseed Oil or steel wool on my fretboards, despite their recommendations. Though I treat my Taylor finish different then my nitros, still no need or want for products with silicone, which will transfer to everything)

I go crazy every now and then and mix in a little Zymol Cleaner/Wax, so what do I know?...

[scottishrogue]

I would avoid Pledge as it may have chemicals that could damage your finish. I use alcohol wipes as they will disinfect and cut through most grungy spots, or Naptha (Ronsonol Lighter Fuel) will also do the same, and neither will damage your guitar's finish. Flannel or a 100% cotton cloth is the best for polishing, and your polish should be applied sparingly to the cloth, not the guitar. Maguire's Silicone Free Auto Polish is a great polish, but you need to buy the type that has NO SILICONE!!! I have also heard that Turtle Wax is good, but I have never tried it.

I also avoid liquid dish soap, as it will contain water (after diluted) and that could damage your guitar if there are suface checks in the finish.

Glen

[jmjohnson]

Isopropyl alocohol is good for making nitrocellulose solvents more effective...another product I won't let near my guitars.

[fazool]

yes pledge is safe to use, IMO. Thirty years ago, and before I knew any better, I used pledge exclusively to polish my guitars. Never on the fretboard but only on the finish. Never hurt a thing.

[jmjohnson]

If you don't mind silicone, its fine!

[fenderball]

i know of a well known guitar store that uses pledge on their guitars...seen it first hand several times...

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Landru

When I was a kid, Pledge and Easy-Off oven cleaner had the same can, design and colors. You know what I did one night at midnight . . . . . .

Waxed the inside of you mother's oven?

[fazool]

I use Guitar Nomad guitar polish (pure carnuba wax) now on the finish parts and Old English pure lemon oil on the fretboard and bridge.

IMO, that's the best-ever combination.

[Long Jon]

Originally Posted by Landru

When I was a kid, Pledge and Easy-Off oven cleaner had the same can, design and colors. You know what I did one night at midnight . . . . . .

Originally Posted by fazool

Waxed the inside of you mother's oven?

Nice one Faz ! Top chuckle of the day.

Originally Posted by stringjunky

On sound poly finishes and nitro I think a couple of drops of washing up liquid in the water, as you say, before you damp the cloth helps lift the skin oils instead of smearing it around all over the guitar with plain water. Think about what your dishes would be like if you just washed up or washed your hair n just water...the oils need emulsifying to shift them properly. I think nitro is a lot more resilient than people with guitars give it credit...it's not French polish.

↑↑↑↑ Interesting point ↑↑↑↑ I hadn't thought about it that way. I think I'm going to start a new thread to get some consensus . . . Thanks for posting stringjunky

Originally Posted by stringjunky

On sound poly finishes and nitro I think a couple of drops of washing up liquid in the water, as you say, before you damp the cloth helps lift the skin oils instead of smearing it around all over the guitar with plain water. Think about what your dishes would be like if you just washed up or washed your hair n just water...the oils need emulsifying to shift them properly. I think nitro is a lot more resilient than people with guitars give it credit...it's not French polish.

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

↑↑↑↑ Interesting point ↑↑↑↑ I hadn't thought about it that way. I think I'm going to start a new thread to get some consensus . . . Thanks for posting stringjunky

Except we don't eat off our guitars and the oil here is miniscule amounts from our skin, not the grease you would have on a plate after eating fried food. I've never used any kind of detergent on a guitar, and plain water only in rare cases. A wipe down with a high-quality micro-fiber cloth is really all that is needed most of the time, and a drop or two of plain water to take care of any smudges, followed by a quick buff from the cloth. I've never seen anything "smeared all around" the guitar using my method.

[Landru]

Originally Posted by fazool

Waxed the inside of you mother's oven?

Never thought of that - - -