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Topic: Cleaners for Reso Guitars |
Tony Dingus
From:
Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2006 11:53 am |
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What's everybody using to clean the wood and metal parts on your dobro?
Thanks, Tony |
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Robert Murphy
From:
West Virginia
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Posted 22 Dec 2006 1:19 pm
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| Steward MacDonalds' Preservation Polish. NO silicone! |
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Tony Russell
From:
North of England
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Posted 23 Dec 2006 9:32 am
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| Also useful is one of those little mops for cleaning inside a recorder or flute etc. These brush the dust out from under the strings, even under the bridge cover on Dobro or the "ashtray" on a Fender peghead. |
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Mike D
From:
Phx, Az
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Posted 23 Dec 2006 12:04 pm
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Best stuff for chrome/and or nickel plating is white vinegar on a soft cloth. It removes body oils and gunk without harming the plating.
You can use Mother's or Flitz polish too but save that for occasional use since they do have some 'grit' to them.
For the wood I agree with Robert.
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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.
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Tony Dingus
From:
Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 23 Dec 2006 7:48 pm
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Thanks for all the info guys.
Tony |
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Colin Brooks
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Posted 24 Dec 2006 9:27 am
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National Reso-Phonic actually recommend 'non-ammoniated liquid glass cleaner', if you can identify such a product. I'm sure white vinegar is just as good.
A polish with car wax helps preserve the plating too. |
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Dec 2006 2:24 pm
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quote:
You can use Mother's or Flitz polish too but save that for occasional use since they do have some 'grit' to them.
Mother's is pretty aggressive (has some 'grit') but Flitz is non-abrasive. Of course any time you remove oxidation (tarnish) you are exposing fresh plating, so if you have nickel-plated parts don't overdo the polishing.
I use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the strings and the instrument after each session, as it will remove body oils and other stuff much better than a cotton cloth. I also use an auto detailer's brush (looks like a large artist's paint brush) to get the dust out of the nooks and crannies.
For cleaning finished wood parts I start with a damp cloth, and if something stronger is needed I go to a clear window cleaner (or water and white vinegar). Next I would go to quaternary ammonia, and finally to naptha--after testing the finish. Always wet the cleaning cloth, not the wood.
For polishes I would stick to something that is designed for musical instruments, like Gibson guitar polish or Stelling Glyde-Cote. One caveat: Glyde-Cote can make a lap instrument so slippery it can be hard to hold. Avoid furniture polishes like Pledge that contain silicone.
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Lynn Oliver
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Stephan Miller
From:
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Posted 2 Jan 2007 6:31 pm
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| Lynn, what's your preferred source for the microfiber cloth and auto detailer's brush? |
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Robert Leaman
From:
Murphy, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 2 Jan 2007 9:40 pm Dobro Ceaning
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| I don't believe that acetic acid is good for cleaning a valuable guitar. Vinegar in any form is acetic acid and even when as dilute as vinegar, 5% or less, it will corrode metal over time unless neutralized with a mild alkali such as baking soda. Acetic acid is really bad on copper and that is what is under nickel or chrome plate. I have a Model 36 Dobro and use nothing but a dry chamois to wipe off body oils and other vile fluids. If a mild, neutral cleaner is necessary, use Windex. Windex has enough alcohol to cut through body fluids. |
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Lynn Oliver
From:
Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Jan 2007 11:45 pm
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| You can get microfiber cloths from music stores like Elderly Music or at places that sell auto detailing supplies. |
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Carroll Hale
From:
EastTexas, USA
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Posted 3 Jan 2007 10:42 am
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| Colin Brooks wrote: |
National Reso-Phonic actually recommend 'non-ammoniated liquid glass cleaner', if you can identify such a product. I'm sure white vinegar is just as good.
A polish with car wax helps preserve the plating too. |
I am a chemist in my regular job. Since white vinegar is acidic (acetic acid) it could react with some of the metal parts and cause some oxidation/damage. Be sure to use a diluted sample of vinegar (1:10) and wipe completely dry when through. Just a comment........sure would hate to see a great resonator damaged....  |
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Mike D
From:
Phx, Az
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Posted 4 Jan 2007 3:55 pm
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I've used the white vinegar for years on all the metal guitars I've made and also newer National R-P models and vintage ones (some with exposed brass) I've owned without a problem. I believe I originally got the idea from National themselves but it's been too long for me to remember. (CRS disease )
I'll take your word for it as chemists though and withdraw my recommendation, especially since there are so many good options.
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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments. |
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