Cleaning Matt Finish
 

Is it OK to use Dunlop 65 cleaner on matt finished guitars or is it better to use a soft cloth slightly dampened with water? Can 65 cleaner be used on the fretboard?
Also, is there some other brand of guitar cleaner specifically made for matt finishes?

Thanks for any feedback.

I am using either damp cloth or this: https://www.taylorguitars.com/taylor...r-cleaner-4-oz

I can't say about your polish. I don't use any products associated with guitars but a cleaner/polish made for antique furniture (sans silicone).

I use it on all my guitars including my Waterloo and an old luthier built 00 both of which have satin finishes and id adds a deep lustre.

I use Regency Gold and have done for the past 20 years or so :

I use nothing but a dry freshly-laundered 100% white old cotton cloth on my satin and gloss finishes immediately after playing each guitar.
I use one part of the cloth on the strings, then another part on the finish.

I bought many of these cloths and use them only once between laundering.
No joke.

Isn’t it described as a ‘cleaner/polish’? If it’s a polish, I’d steer clear of it, you don’t want anything that will impart a ‘shine’.

On a Matt finish, I’d use a slightly damp cloth followed by a soft dry cloth, and occasionally (like once a year) a spritz with Music Nomad Guitar Detailer (which is safe on Matt finishes).

The fingerboard doesn’t need or want any ‘cleaner’ or ‘polish’, it’s unfinished wood, it just needs keeping clean by wiping with a cloth after playing. If you get a build up of ‘gunk’, 0000-grade steel wool is recommended by many on here although, in 59 years of playing, I’ve never got that kind of build up because I wipe the strings and board after playing, so I’ve never needed to resort to assaulting it with steel wool.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

Steel wool is infused with oil, just an FYI. I'm in the Windex camp. No better cleaner on the market. Just don't want to over do it. Two rag method. One damp then dry.

+1 for Music Nomad Guitar Detailer, which is specifically designed for matte finishes, open pore finishes, and ukuleles.

Many other cleaning products, including Music Nomad's "One" cleaner, contain wax, which isn't good for your matte finish. It will build up, and aside from the shine, it can negatively affect the sound.

When I read a question like this, I’m not sure if you are seriously asking or just fishing. If it’s a matt or satin finish don’t put polish on it period.

Not a fisherman. The fellow that sold me the Taylor 322ce V-class (who is a Taylor dealer) said he used the 65 c/p on matt finished guitars. I was skeptical for the same reason you stated. That's why I asked.

BTW: Is this not the place to ask questions such as this, without having to be concerned about someone deeming your question worthy?

Same here.

Rob

Dr. Ducks. Works on gloss, satin, fretboards, bridges, everything. Just use it sparingly.
Steve

On both satin and gloss, I clean with a very weak dish soap / water solution (just damp, not wet) with a microfiber cloth, then make sure it's dry with another microfiber cloth. This was recommended by Ibanez to care for their acoustics (don't laugh - Ibanez acoustics are da bomb!) but I've done it on all my acoustics for years. I used to use Gibson brand guitar polish until I asked myself - - - why?

Boss Guitar Detailer will do an excellent job

Always safest to use water and a relatively new cloth. Cotton or microfiber, doesn't matter as long as it's soft spun with no chance of abrasives. If you drop it on the ground, throw it away. That's what a master finisher taught me. Foreign materials that get in the cloth can scratch the finish so wash them in the sink and keep them clean.

Why does Matt need his finish cleaned? This Dave's finish is matte and I just wipe it down with a moist microfiber cloth.