Cleaning guitar where arm rests

[PenderJazz]

Hi folks,

I know I’ve seen this topic elsewhere, so my apologies if this is redundant.

I have a beautiful new L-5 whose body gets a good going over with a dry cloth and sometimes polish after playing. Despite that, there is still a cloudy part of the finish on the top where my arms rests when I reach over the guitar when I scroll through charts or write things down.

I have Dunlop 65 polish as well as Gibson brand - not sure of the exact type.

A little concerning considering I’ve only had the guitar a month. Maybe it’s deodorant from my arm when my sleeve is pushed out of the way? Anybody else have this experience or a solution?

Thanks!

[KirkP]

A few years ago I saw a lot of recommendations for Virtuoso Premium Cleaner and Virtuoso Polish. I’ve used them both and they worked great for putting a shine in cloudy varnish.

I also made a note that Robert Benedetto’s book recommended 1 part Meguiars #7 Mirror Glaze, 1 part mineral oil, 1 part water, shaken well for final polish when building a guitar. I’ve never tried that approach.

[Danny W.]

I use Fender Mist & Wipe, which seems to be the same as this:

Meguiar's(R) Quik Detailer(R) Mist & Wipe, A3316, 16 oz., Spray | Meguiar's

Goes on like water and takes oxidation right off.

Danny W.

[Jazzstdnt]

If regular guitar polish and a rag don't get it out your guitar tech probably can - with his buffing wheel and something a tad more abrasive - but not too abrasive. Something like Novus 2 Fine Scratch Remover.

But here's the thing - prevention. Stop putting skin oils into the nitro!

In short sleeve weather I wear a sock. Buy a pair of cotton socks (not nylon), cut off the toes, wear it over your mid-to-high forearm and lower bicep. It's a barrier and it's what's needed if one doesn't want that cloudy top.

[wintermoon]

Virtuoso cleaner is a bit abrasive for this unless it's severe.
Virtuoso polish is what I use.

[Mark M.]

+1 on Virtuoso.

[PenderJazz]

Thanks for the great info!

[PenderJazz]

Thanks, Danny!

[Mark M.]

It takes time for the lacquer to cure as well. I had 2 new guitars that were pretty prone to clouding in that area of the top. Both were brand new. Also, be careful as mentioned earlier to not wear nylon/synthetic materials when you play. I had a new ES 335 that absorbed some of the dye from a nylon sweatshirt that I used to wear for practice. Once that happens it’s permanent.

Be careful the first couple of years until the lacquer is fully cured.

[pauln]

I always play with a long sleeve shirt...

[cosmic gumbo]

Supposed to only wear long sleeve natural silk shirts when playing guitar. Wake up.

[Gabor]

Maybe the cloudy thing is a build up and not wear. The less intrusive I use is pure, dry, soft microfiber cloth. For a few bucks I got Fender accessory, then later my Eastman came with also a microfiber cloth.

It is surprising, how it removes any build up from guitar, phone, tablet, glasses without any chemical or solver. No other cloth or textile behaves that.

[Marinero]

For the last 30 plus years, I only use a slightly damp(distilled water) miracle cloth to remove body oils, smudges followed by a soft guitar polishing rag. I have been told by many luthiers you should never polish a guitar with a lacquer finish. I own a vintage 1966 Gibson ES125TC cherry sunburst I bought new that still looks new despite some very slight checkering in the finish and very minimal wear. My three Classical guitars are in the same aesthetic condition with only unavoidable minor fingernail scratches below the strings. I hope this helps. Good playing . . . Marinero

P.S. Always play with a forearm sleeve if you are wearing short sleeves.