cleaning an acoustic guitar?

Question

im gonna show my acoustic guitar to some buyers i want to make it look nice any tips, i've got wood floor cleaner, god idea, bead idea?

Answer 1

1. Buy a guitar polish kit--don't rely on household polishes or wooden floor paste wax. Not good, amigo.

2. Remove strings.

3. If the fretboard is rosewood, cover the soundhole with a cloth, take a pad of OOO fine steelwool, and tilt the headstock downward.

a. Using the steelwool, rub lightly down and up the fretboard several times. That polishes the fret bars and removes loose crud from the board. Wipe off the residue with a clean, soft cloth, and using a fingernail, remove crud near the fretbars.

b. Remove cloth from soundhole. Rub a quality fingerboard oil into the fretboard, let it set and then wipe off.

c. Polish the top of the guitar and the bridge. Restring with Elixer Medium gauge strings and polish the remainder of the guitar.

4. If the fretboard is ebony, clean with warm, soapy water; rinsing with a damp cloth. Polish with a good guitar enhancer such as what Martin or Fender manufactures. Follow item 3c above.

5. If the fretboard is maple consult the manufacturer's guidelines on cleaning. Follow item 3c above.

6. Tune the instrument and play it. You might change your mind about selling.

Answer 2

Time to get some then. Even a mild furniture polish on a good, clean cloth as a T-shirt (all cotton) material is okay for starters. Not to heavy on the stuff though, as it can build up and be too slick or smear. Then it can trap dust over time. Just a dampened cloth with water to get any real dirt or grime off, then a good guitar polish to finish. Severe matter (like old guitars that need some care) that is present can be removed safely enough with a non-alcohol base (ammonia) solution window cleaner on a cloth. Remove quickly, wipe with the water base, dry completely and apply guitar polish to preserve the finish. There are oil dressings for fingerboard cleaning and preservative as well. Follow the product directions for applications, between string changes only, and buff clean and dry. Linseed and Swedish oils can be used in the same fashion. But these products still need time to cure and be buffed out again. A furniture paste wax (used sparingly) is good for any backside (or all of a solid body) of the guitar to help from body sweat, heat and friction.

Answer 3

I wouldn't use anything until I checked with someone who makes or restores guitars, you'll probably find one in your phone book. Their called luthiers, if you can't find one go to the Guitar Center and ask them. Everything depends on your guitar and what kind of wood it is. What is your neck made of? Make sure you know what your doing before you start, I noticed some on here have told you how to do it, I was concerned when he said to use steel wool, be careful !!!! I have four guitars and I would never attempt that on mine, maybe he knows what he's doing, but I wouldn't do it unless your sure you know what your doing.