Question about windex

[Jordan]

I have an acoustic guitar that i would like to clean up a bit. The wood is finished, but I was wondering if using windex to clean the body, neck, etc would still hurt the wood.

Thanks!

[disobedience]

I would suggest getting a good guitar cleaning solution.
Windex is really harsh and will likely scratch the finish.

[Jordan]

Ok, will do. I will probobly run out and get some linseed oil today or tommarrow. Ive heard that stuff is nice on finishes.

[nlsstar]

Windex/household window cleaners are ammonia based. Ammonia like alcohol is an alkoline which means it drys as it evaporates...really bad for the neck. If you use linseed oil make sure it's in a guitar cleaning/polishing product that contains linseed oil...not just the oil itself...

[disobedience]

Linseed is supposed to be nice...but it's really made to treat bare wood.
If you guitar is finished (I assume it is) check with your shop to see what they suggest.
I have a cleaner from Dunlop that works great and leaves a squeeky shiny guitar...but it's mostly for cleaning it..not polishing.
There's TONS of great stuff available...be sure to ask the sales people and other guitarists who might be there what they suggest.

If you do go with linseed oil...keep in mind to use a TINY amount on a test area before you start coating your guitar. It's pretty nasty stuff to buff off if you use too much ;)

[nlsstar]

yes linseed oil is supposed to be applied to bare wood to bring the grain out and also used before the clear coat...linseed oil as a polish on a clear coat could be very messy and for a long time....i use a cleaner by Dr. Stringfellow..or what ever "fellow" that name is...lol...as a polish i found a Model wax that works every well...very very fine rugue(sp) count, and polishes out to a mirror finish. Don't use car wax it is made with a coarser rougue(sp, again)...designed to remove road dirt from a car...this model wax is closer to a jewelers polish.

[ez-one]

linseed oil is for natural (non varnsihed wood ) windex has amonnia in it and will hurt the gloss over time leaving it foggy looking) I would suggest not using eigther of those on a reg. finished guitar surface. I personally have used the reg. commerical furniture polish like pledge or one of those on my guitars for years and have never seen it cause a problem, some members will suggest not using it eigther, but 30 or so years ago when I started playing around with guitars they did not have all of the products that you see today in music stores. I think that some of it is just the same stuff in a smaller bottle with Fender or someone else on it, but I don't know that for sure. When in doubt go to your guitar manufacturers web site and see what they recommend, if it doesn't say there in might in the owners manual for your guitar, if not there, send them an email and ask.

[Breeze]

I use Smith Pro Formula polish on all my axes and it really brings out the shine.
:cool:

[AncientMariner]

I use plain old Gibson Pump Polish. It's only $5 a bottle and works great.