Windex on your Guitar

lovethemgeetars · #1 07-28-2004, 09:18 AM

hi...is this a no-no? i recently bought a used guitar and wanted to do a little cleanup so i sprayed a little antibacterial windex on a paper towel and wiped the guitar down.

went on frets.com (after i did this), and i believe it mentions "water-based cleaners" being okay. i'm hoping water-based cleaners includes windex. =) i didn't use a substantial amount or anything...

RickC · #2 07-28-2004, 09:25 AM

While I don't think it would hurt it if used sparingly I don't think it's your best option. I use a spray on car wax that works really nice. It cleans and polishes at the same time.

lovethemgeetars · #3 07-28-2004, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickC

While I don't think it would hurt it if used sparingly I don't think it's your best option. I use a spray on car wax that works really nice. It cleans and polishes at the same time.

and your guitar will be okay if it gets rained on. j/k

which brand do you use?

RickC · #4 07-28-2004, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovethemgeetars

and your guitar will be okay if it gets rained on. j/k

which brand do you use?

Oh yeah!! it beads up nicely. Actually right now I'm using Eagle One, gives it that showroom finish

rgregg48 · #5 07-28-2004, 09:45 AM

It worked in the movie "my big fat greek wedding"

Why not?

Rick

Stixx · #6 07-28-2004, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgregg48

It worked in the movie "my big fat greek wedding"

Why not?

Rick

Hey guys write this down, Dunlop, Forumal No.65 guitar polish and cleaner.
IT is the trick stuff and cleans and polishes and cost about the same as the two non purpose items you both recommend and will not damage nittus cellulose finishes which most petroleum base car products will.

Just so you know . LOL

later

RickC · #7 07-28-2004, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stixx

Hey guys write this down, Dunlop, Forumal No.65 guitar polish and cleaner.
IT is the trick stuff and cleans and polishes and cost about the same as the two non purpose items you both recommend and will not damage nittus cellulose finishes which most petroleum base car products will.

Just so you know . LOL

later

Yeah but does it work on cars?

jastevens · #8 07-28-2004, 10:06 AM

I would be very cautious about windex. It is ammonia based and ammonia can have some pretty serious effects on a wide range of materials...
Some examples:
Windex on computer monitors... A BIG NO NO... it removes the protective anti-glare coating.
Windex on plastics ... another no no... ever seen white plastic turn yellow?... that's the main culprit.
Windex on window tint ... ever seen that "purple" window tint, well, it didn't start out that color

One I found out the hard way... dripped some on my leather couch... completely bleached the dye.

So, that being said, can't say for sure it would hurt a guitar, but I sure wouldn't use it.

What would I use? Ken Smith's Pro Formula polish works great for cleaning both the glossy and matt finish parts (it's the only one recommended by Taylor for the matte stuff), and for the "final touch" a pure carnauba wax (only on the glossy of course).

If you need a quick fix you can use a (very) lightly dampened cloth just to get the funk off.

jeffrey · #9 07-28-2004, 10:14 AM

I second the "no" for Windex on guitars. Ammonia is bad for wood.

lovethemgeetars · #10 07-28-2004, 10:22 AM

anyway to get the windex off?

i used a small amount so i think i should be okay but let me know...

jastevens · #11 07-28-2004, 10:29 AM

Most of the windex should already be "gone" but if you want to be safe, just use a cloth dampened with a little bit of de-ionized water. I would then go ahead and wax to protect the clear coat.

axememan · #12 07-28-2004, 10:39 AM

ken smith....good stuff....also stay away from lemon pledge...no-no

Ty Rip · #13 07-28-2004, 10:57 AM

I have a 110 (Satin finish) and i was told by the dealer I bought my guitar from to condition it with lemon oil. Is this a good solution to use? I read on Taylor's site to use Ken Smith, but if lemon oil is okay for satin finish I will continue to use that. It did have a nice shine and seemed to hydrate the wood well. So hopefully he didn't tell me to do something that was harmful.

Tyler

rgregg48 · #14 07-28-2004, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axememan

ken smith....good stuff....also stay away from lemon pledge...no-no

Some of the blues players use blind lemon pledge.
but its a blues thang.

Rick

Taylorplayer · #15 07-28-2004, 05:30 PM

Virtuoso it is the best! - tell 'em Bill T sent you!