cleaning a cigarette smoked up guitar.

Steven Black · From: Gahanna, Ohio, USA

Does any one know what to use on a steel guitar that has been constantly exposed to cigarette smoke? without damaging the finish or formica? this guitar I have really smelled my upstairs of the house and I had to move it to the garage until I can figure out what to clean it with.

Bill Llewellyn · From: San Jose, CA

I had the same problem with a used MSA I bought in '99. The guitar, the case, and the vinyl dust cover all had a very strong smoke odor when they arrived. I left the case and cover in our back porch for a while for the odor to fade; I just put up with the guitar (the felt underbelly had absorbed a fair amount of old smoke). It has faded over time, but when I close the guitar in its case for a while, then reopen it, I get a pretty big rush of old smoke smell.

Sorry I don't have any cleaning suggestions....

------------------
Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | MSA U12 | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I usually wipe everything down, that I can get to, with rubbing alcohol. That pretty much removes the brown and is easy on finishes.
As far as the smell goes, I have had good luck with those little evergreen thingies that you hang in your car. Just throw one in the case (keep away from the finish) and close the case.

Gale Huey · From: Frisco, Texas USA

Hi, I have used Bounce fabric sheets as an air freshener in my car. The fabric softeners are not very strong and work well. Rub the sheets inside the case and leave 2 or 3 in the case when you close it. Just a simple suggestion, hope it helps. Gale
PS I'm not a smoker, but my car smells purdy

[This message was edited by Gale Huey on 17 June 2006 at 09:03 AM.]

Smiley Roberts · From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075

A long while back,I bought some electronic equipment that belonged to a friend of mine,who was severely handicapped from a stroke. All he could do was sit in his music room,listen to music,& SMOKE! When I got the equip. ALL of it was brown from the smoke. I tried soapy water...that didn't work,I tried alcohol...that didn't work. Lastly,I tried "Fantastic",& VOILA,IT WORKED!! I'm sure that "Formula 409" would do the same. The "brown smoke" just came rolling off. DON'T USE A REGULAR TOWEL TO CLEAN THIS UP,UNLESS YOU'RE PREPARED TO THROW IT AWAY! A paper towel scooped it up in fine fashion. Hope this helps you out.

------------------

  ~ ~


  ©¿©  It don't mean a thang,   


  mm   if it ain't got that twang.

JW Day · From: Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA

Steven, I bought A new Legrande in 1982. It was in an American Legion for almost 3 years. After the band moved on, it had the same problem that you are speaking of. An old Lady told me to put a couple of open containers of vanilla in the case and close it for couple of weeks or so. This may help and it doesn't cost much. Don't know about the cleaning problem.J.W.

John Daugherty · From: Rolla, Missouri, USA

I had a lot of smoke stained stuff after a house fire. I tried several cleaners. The best cleaner I found was "409". You must spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes. Then wipe with a paper towel or cloth.
I have also cleaned some smoked stuff with a window cleaner, using the same method.

------------------
www.home.earthlink.net/~johnd37

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Naphtha (lighter fluid) will help remove the stains and not harm the finish, but some stains are so deep there's nothing you can do to get rid of them. But naphtha followed by Fantastick or 409 works pretty well. As far as the smell, fresh air and UV helps a to, so leaving it in the sun can really be helpful (not on a 100 degree day, obviously). the dry sheet sugestion also usually works.

Sometimes, however, nothing will remove all the stains and smell.

Curt Langston · Posted 17 Jun 2006 12:17 pm

Here is my trick:

Take a large plastic trash bag (ie.lawn bag)
and lay it flat on your carpet or rug.

Next, carefully lay your steel inside of it, in the center of the bag, string side down, lengthwise.

Carefully lay out a row of baking soda along both sides of your steel, (the complete length) being careful to keep the soda off of the instrument. There should be a least one box of soda strung out in a long pile, on each side of the guitar, about 3-5 inches wide. You can't use too much. It's cheap anyway.

Then gently use a twist tie, to tie the bag closed. You want it completely sealed.

Baking soda will DRAW the smoke out of your guitar. In fact, if you leave it long enough, the soda will turn yellow or brownish in color.

The longer you leave it in the sealed bag, the better.

The reason you want the bag sealed, is because if it is open, the soda will draw in odors from outside the bag, thus weakening the drawing effect inside the bag.

I have used this technique many times, and it works very well.

[This message was edited by Curt Langston on 18 June 2006 at 02:42 PM.]

Bryan Knox · From: Gardendale, Alabama...Ya'll come

I'll add to Smiley's praise of Fantastick with an addendum...

In my humble opinion, Greased Lightning is like Fantastick on steroids

Be sure to wipe it off fast though as it tends to streak. The surface stains should roll right off.

[This message was edited by Bryan Knox on 17 June 2006 at 02:02 PM.]

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

I used 409 on an old Super Reverb grille cloth and you wouldn't believe how much brown gunk came out of it in the bathtub.

It works great on the undercarriage but never use it on the changer.

------------------
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

A. J. Schobert · From: Cincinnati, Ohio,

Steve its good to see someone from Ohio Gale is right use Bounce or something like it to keep in the case, before you put anything on your PSG make sure it is nonabrasive, good luck CARTER D10

Steven Black · From: Gahanna, Ohio, USA

Thanks for the Advise I will look for 409 to help in cleaning it up. steveb.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Bill Llewellyn, if the problem is in the felt, you could have it removed and recover the incerside of the guitar with fresh felt.

Please tell your lovely wife and daughter I said hello.

------------------
My web site

Will Hart · From: St. Croix, Virgin Islands

Put an open container of kitty litter in the case and close it up with the guitar. It will absorb the smell.

Henry Nagle · From: Santa Rosa, California

Soak it in whiskey. Don't use good whiskey.

Tony Davis · From: Brisbane, QLD, Australia

What ever you do !!!!...dont use a cmmercial cleaner like Nifty....forget what spray ons you have in States......on the Fret Board...the fret board has some kind of coating on...the comercial cleaner removes this coating and also removes some ove the colours from the fret board..I know from experience......need a new fret board for my Emmons !!!

Curt Langston · Posted 19 Jun 2006 4:55 am

Tony, I agree. Thats why I use baking soda. You don't run the risk of ruining the finish. Baking soda actually PULLS the smoke odor out of the wood, not just mask it with fragrance.

[This message was edited by Curt Langston on 19 June 2006 at 05:56 AM.]

Marlin Smoot · From: Kansas

While I know you can't do this unless you live in Arizona...On a hot summer day I would set my steel case (opened) in the sun for a little while when I lived in Tucson (my hometown). It took all the smoke smell out. Setting the guitar outside may work too but you have to be carefull with the glue on the necks (Emmons) as it will soften up.

Think of it as playing an outside gig. That Arizona sun can work wonders. No rubbing, no scrubbing no expensive cleaners to buy...
Of course, this isn't for everyone...

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

"Put an open container of kitty litter in the case and close it up with the guitar. It will absorb the smell."
If you have cats, be SURE too close it!
I had a stove fire here, and I found that Krud Kutter was abdo-lutely amazing! Far outcleaned 409 and Fantastic. By miles! I wouldn't do the finish with it though, unless I had tested a small spot, or if the guitar is formica.

[This message was edited by John Billings on 19 June 2006 at 02:11 PM.]

Jerry Knapper · From: Lakeland, Florida , USA

I have a couple of Ecoquest home air purifiers.
They remove the smoke smell totally, just as they remove the smell from a home if you have had a fire in a room. Cupit Music in Heber Springs, Ar can tell you how well this works.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic