What do you use to clean a DF natural wood guitar?

[Notes_Norton]

I have a 3 day per week, outdoor gig, on the beach but under cover, in the daytime.

Since it's hot in Florida, and I do some perspiring, the guitar is getting dirty. The combination of my skin oil and the dust in the air is especially showing where my right arm rests on the body.

What do I clean it with? Pardon the ignorance, but guitar is my 7th instrument and I still have a lot to learn.

This is what it looked like when it was new (before It got dirty).



Thanks,
Notes ♫

[mmmguitar]

@Notes_Norton, I clean all my guitars (nitro, poly, tru oil, satin, gloss, etc.) with naphtha (I of course keep the stuff away from my CF Fly fretboards like a good boy). Depending on your local laws, you can typically find a tin of VM&P at most hardware stores, and lighter fluid with "petroleum distillates" as the main ingredient at most convenience stores/gas stations.

[jb63]

naphtha

2nd!

I used to use linseed oil before I knew any better!

[Notes_Norton]

Thanks!

Naphtha sounds pretty extreme, but I'll see if they carry it around here.

Notes ♫

[Barry]

Naphtha is the go-to product for cleaning just about everything, particularly grungy parts.

But do be careful using it, it is quite flammable (lighter fluid after all), so good ventilation and absence of any ignition sources is a must. Doesn't do your lungs much good either!

The good thing about naphtha is that it flashes off rather quickly so there's no residue to speak of.

[Notes_Norton]

Thanks.

Guitar is my 7th instrument, so in many ways, I'm still a newbie on it.

[jb63]

I have also been told to use gun oil on my maple fretboard & neck. Now I have no idea what gun oil actually is, though

[Notes_Norton]

I think I'm just going to get some cleaner from StewMac. I can chat with a tech there and he/she should know what's best.

Being predominantly a sax player (guitar is my 7th instrument) I know how to care for the sax, and I completely forgot about StewMac until a friend mentioned it.

Playing outdoors takes it's toll on gear. Come next season, if it's like Pre-COVID days, I'll get high paying gigs in yacht and country clubs. I'll don my tux and when the guests dress up, the band should like nice, too.

I have another sax and flute for indoor work, but not another guitar like this one. I had it made in the Parker Custom Shop.

Notes ♫

[billy]

Microfiber cloth, damp.

[Notes_Norton]

That's where I'm at. It doesn't get it all, but definitely a 95% improvement.