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How to Clean & Polish Your Guitar
Caring for the finish of your guitar is very important. Done right, it can keep your instrument looking new for many years.
Caring for the finish of your guitar is very important. Done right, it can keep your instrument looking new for many years.
There are several reasons why a guitar's finish can become dull, hazy, and just plain ugly. One reason is the buildup of dust, sweat, and whatever was on your hands before you played. Another reason is regular use — the more you play the guitar, the more the finish accumulates scratches from your picks, watch, bracelet, etc. Over time, these afflictions can damage a guitar's finish and cause it to break down.
PREVENT AND CORRECT WEAR AND TEAR
Prevention is the best remedy! D'Addario's Instrument Care Essentials is a standout product for this. All of the necessary items are included in the set, but if you choose to go another route, just make sure you have comparable items on hand so you can complete the process with professional results.
D'Addario instrument Care Essentials includes:
1. Micro-Fiber Polishing Cloth
2. Restore Detailer
3. Protect Guitar Wax
4. Shine Spray Cleaner
5. Hydrate Fingerboard Conditioner
This set also lays out the necessary steps for taking care of your finish right on the bottles. Restore Detailer is labeled step 1, Protect is labeled step 2, and Shine is step 3. Micro-fiber cloths are used throughout the process and you will only use Hydrate on the fingerboard, so there are no steps involved there.
Step 1:
Begin with the Restore Formula. Put a small amount on your cloth and rub in a circular motion to remove swirl marks and light scratches. Once it dries, use a clean polishing cloth to remove it in the same manner. It will leave the finish clean and shiny.
Step 2:
Next, apply the Protect formula in the same manner. It's a natural protectant and sealer. When applied it may look hazy, but when you remove with a clean cloth, you'll see it produce a distinct radiance on your guitar's body.
Step 3:
Finally, use the Shine by spraying onto a clean micro-fiber cloth or directly onto the guitar, to maintain that cool, wet, glossy look. Buff it until it glows. Shine will actually erase any dust, fingerprints, or imperfections. It also contains color enhancers to bring out your finish's beauty.
If you've got your strings off for a string change, you can also use the Hydrate formula to keep your fingerboard in mint condition. It is specifically designed for dark, unfinished wood and removes dirt and grime while restoring moisture to the fretboard, preventing cracks and other damage that can happen when a fingerboard becomes dry.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I DO THIS?
It's nice to have your guitar looking good. We recommend thoroughly cleaning your guitar like this every time you change your strings (assuming that's something you do regularly). You can also just use Shine anytime you want to touch up the look of your guitar.
Follow these steps every so often and your guitar will stay looking as nice as the day you took it home.
