#16
|
|||
|
|||
After I wrote that I seldom polish my guitars, sometimes going years between polishing, Don replied:
Quote:
In case anyone got the mistaken impression that I’m claiming that polishing one’s guitar might somehow damage it, that’s not what I was trying to convey. So long as it’s an appropriate polish that gets used, while it will remove a minuscule layer of nitrocellulose lacquer, it’s not going to strip it down to the bare wood anytime soon. Plenty of players polish their guitars on a regular basis and it doesn’t hurt ANYthing. The truth is that I’m not a guy who likes to polish much of anything. After attending the Citadel, the military college of South Carolina, I swore that I would never polish anything ever again, whether it was my shoes, my brass belt buckle or anything else. That vow, made in anger, great weariness and in reaction to what I’d experienced while part of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, hasn’t been something that I’ve strictly enforced in the years since. But it definitely inclined me away from habitual polishing of anything, whether of shoes, belt buckles, the brass fire extinguisher in D Company’s corner of the barracks (yes, I polished that fire extinguisher more than once,) or guitars. For me it wouldn’t be an act of love to polish my guitars. I do it when it’s needed, but don’t take any joy in it. Thanks for reminding me that for many players it’s done out of fondness, not a begrudging sense of duty. Wade Hampton “Reluctant Son Of The South” Miller |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
Lizard Spit works great!
|
#18
|
|||
|
|||
I figured the spots would be droplets of sweat. Actually I use spit on a microfiber cloth as polish. It contains gentle enzymes that are perfect to get the grime of nitro finish where it has touched my elbow when I play with short sleeves, and also gets the neck smooth again if it is sticky.
|
#19
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
He went on to explain that saliva has the perfect balance between the enzymes to cut through without acting as a solvent for the oil paint. I thought that was pretty cool, and enjoyed the team leader's sense of humor - he obviously isn't one of those pompous, self-important individuals who often afflict the visual arts field. whm |
#20
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
... at the very least! heck, I’m thinkin’ my next project might be called ”Guit Spittle” ... ...
__________________
` “Success is falling down nine times and getting up ten.” |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
|
#22
|
|||
|
|||
I'll chime in with spit and no polish. Just for the record Wade, I was in the Army, and I hated spit and polish too.
And old cotton T-shirts may rip and fade away, but they are great utility cloths. While I love and respect my guitars (and my wife), I avoid polishing them at all. I do suppose they won't mind the occasional caress if you have to show some affection every now and then. (Hey, I'm talking about the guitars. ;-) ) Don .
__________________
*The Heard: 85 Gibson J-200 sitka/rosewood Jumbo 99 Taylor 355 sitka/sapele 12 string Jmbo 06 Alvarez AJ60S englmn/mpl lam med Jmbo 14 Taylor 818e sitka/rosewood Grand Orchestra 05 Taylor 512ce L10 all mahogany Grand Concert 09 Taylor all walnut Jmbo 16 Taylor 412e-R sitka/rw GC 16 Taylor 458e-R s/rw 12 string GO 21 Epiphone IBG J-200 sitka/maple Jmbo 22 Guild F-1512 s/rw 12 string Jmbo |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
I have the same problem, especially after a performance... what can I say? I GET INTO IT when I play and sing!
I just dampen the edge of a soft cloth (diaper) or a microfiber cloth and then buff dry afterwards... comes off easy enough. I also use that damp cloth protocol for general everyday cleaning... rarely need anything stronger. The general rule of thumb for cleaning a guitar is to start with the LEAST invasive/abrasive method and escalate from there, as needed...
__________________
"He's one of those who knows that life is just a leap of faith. Spread your arms and hold your breath, always trust your cape..." "The Cape" (Guy Clark/Jim Janowsky/Susanna Clark) |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
Have you ever heard the term.... Spit Shine.?? It's real and it works. However, you need to clean your guitar more often. Most likely every time you sing.!!
__________________
Play it Pretty |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks all. Damp cloth cleaned it up just fine.
-BK |
#26
|
||||
|
||||
Don't sit in front of a singer during this covid period. I'm just saying.
__________________
Waterloo WL-S, K & K mini Waterloo WL-S Deluxe, K & K mini Iris OG, 12 fret, slot head, K & K mini Follow The Yellow Brick Road |
#27
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I clean and polish my guitars at every string change which is about every three months. It's a ritual for me that I thoroughly enjoy.
__________________
Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#28
|
|||
|
|||
Don wrote:
Quote:
"Now Available In Mint Flavor!" Somehow, I don't think that would fly.... Wade Hampton "Brasso-Averse" Miller |
#29
|
|||
|
|||
Hey Wade,
Yeah. And I'll just consider any tales of swappin' spit to be considered 'personal and confidential'. nudge nudge Don .
__________________
*The Heard: 85 Gibson J-200 sitka/rosewood Jumbo 99 Taylor 355 sitka/sapele 12 string Jmbo 06 Alvarez AJ60S englmn/mpl lam med Jmbo 14 Taylor 818e sitka/rosewood Grand Orchestra 05 Taylor 512ce L10 all mahogany Grand Concert 09 Taylor all walnut Jmbo 16 Taylor 412e-R sitka/rw GC 16 Taylor 458e-R s/rw 12 string GO 21 Epiphone IBG J-200 sitka/maple Jmbo 22 Guild F-1512 s/rw 12 string Jmbo Last edited by donlyn; 07-14-2020 at 07:33 PM. |
#30
|
|||
|
|||
Reminds me of an old photographers trick when printing from negatives: nose grease. The oil from skin will fill in a scratch on the back of the negative nicely and you usually cannot see it in the final print. Of course, who prints photos from film in a darkroom any more? I have the gear....somewhere in storage. Cannot even give it away any more.
|