How To Clean and Polish Your Guitar
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- Jim DeCola shows you how to polish your nitrocellulose guitar safely, using this Gibson Les Paul as an example.
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In this episode of "Gibson's Guide to Guitar Setup and Maintenance," viewers learn how to polish their guitars like a professional. Gibson Master Luthier, Jim DeCola, demonstrates the correct way to do the job, whether your guitar has a gloss or satin finish.
Polishing a guitar sounds simple, but there’s more to it than you might think. Jim DeCola talks about the right way to clean and polish, including what types of polish and cloth to use, how to store the cloth, why you should polish in a circular motion, what to use to clean the strings and fretboard, and what to use to polish your guitar’s hardware.
Did you know that the Nitrocellulose guitar finish needs special attention when you’re polishing your guitar? Or why you need to polish your guitar? Well, in this guitar polishing tutorial, Jim answers all your questions and shows you the safe way to polish a nitrocellulose guitar. In addition, Jim shows you some of the best guitar polish available and the best guitar polishing cloths to use. Jim also provides some top tips when polishing the guitar headstock (which we know is awkward!). Plus Jim shows you how to polish a satin finish guitar without scratching it or buffing out the finish.
Jim also discusses how different finish colors can show scratches and fingerprints more than others, as well as the importance of dusting off the guitar before applying polish to reduce the possibility of scratching the finish, and how keeping the neck polished and clean will make playing effortless.
For more detailed information on guitar setup and maintenance, or more complicated DIY repairs, be sure to check out Gibson’s FREE Virtual Guitar Tech service at www.gibson.com/Support/Virtua....
Chapters:
0:00 How to polish a gloss nitrocellulose guitar
6:32 How to polish a satin finish guitar
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I paint cars professionally, and play guitar as a passion. This is very satisfying as finish upkeep between the two is very similar. Also just bought a Les Paul Studio in tangerine burst, it's a work of art.. absolutely great quality guitar. I don't play only Gibson, but there will always be at least one in my collection.
@@gibsonguitar I have a Les Paul studio with a red finish. What is the proper way to clean it?
I find it much easier to polish when changing strings, surprised that wasn’t mentioned. Allows access between pups, around bridge and tuning pegs, and on the fretboard itself (not polishing the fretboard, but lightly oiling it).
Same!
How do blues lawyers supposed to get the strings back on?!..They have to visit a guitar shop after for this! This is a blues lawyer friendly tutorial.
Yes and really like cleaning oiling the fret board !
Cheers Jim, great advice. My 2013 Gibson Les Paul Standard still looks great today and I want it to look great forever.
I have watched many of your videos and I sure hope Gibson knows and appreciates what an asset you are to the company (and customers!) I was nervous about doing a strap button hole fix until I saw you do it, kind of made that repair legit. Great job with explaining things in a manner we understand and the topic of the videos are relevant for everyday players like me. My beautiful new (somewhat) LP Standard in Iced Tea appreciates it and so do I. I mean even something as simple as cleaning and polishing you have transformed into an art form that now we have confidence and knowhow. Keep up the great work Jim., and ask for a raise, you deserve it.
Precious Gibson guitar, precious polish, precious Mr Jim DeCola. Thanks!
Hello Jim, I definitely enjoy all of your instructional videos. It always is great to learn new techniques for doing proper upkeep of any Guitar or Bass. I hope to meet you sometime in the future, you see I live in your old hometown of Munster Indiana. Stay safe and well and keep Rocking. Signed John Gregory / Zepbass.
Thank You so much Jim DeCola & Gibson for Showing Us how to Take Care of Our Gibsons. I just got a Beautiful 1950s spec Gibson Heritage Cherry Burst Les Paul Standard and I love it. the quality ,It's just perfect.
I use a new, clean, soft bristle paint brush for dusting. Works like a charm!
I really appreciate Jim's advice. He explains things very well and has a calm nature about him which helps make me feel comfortable in doing this myself. These videos are very well done. Keep them coming!
I always enjoy this programme.
"Finish resonates more" is a strong statement.
Thanks. I really never thought of there being a better way of polishing my guitars. I'll sure be polishing the this way from here on.
Thanks for the tips beautiful guitar by the way
Jim is the hero we want and the hero we need
Good video. What would you recommend on getting fine scratches removed from a Nitro or Poly finish?
Sweet Norlin Era shirt !
Unfortunately Gibson is currently out of there guitar cleaning kits , mine have been on backorder for some time.
I HAVE THAT SAME BLACK GUITAR!!! This is awesome!!! THANKS!!
Can I skip this part, coz I'm already polish?
LOLski
Lol that's a good one 😎
Do we need to polish the finnish of the guitar?
Lol…that’s great!
Very informative! Cheers
I bought a 2019 LP Tribute and took it apart and polished the guitar w/ semi-chrome and wow...Looks great! My first Gibson and I love it!
Is it the double cut ?
Or is it the single cut burst ?
@@auntjenifer7774 Single cut
Congratulations! I too bought a new Gibson Les Paul Guitar 2019 just two days ago. I was initially considering the tribute from the start. But, I ended up going for the studio instead.
I honestly think their both great guitars. Do you also use Gibson guitar strings? If so, do you use the bright wire reinforced set by any chance?
@@blissfulhumanoid9536 I can't stop playing it. It sounds so good, and so fun to play. Its got some Fret-wear. Awesome instrument
@@blissfulhumanoid9536 I use Ernie 10/46
I had Les Paul Studio years ago, and the back of the neck had a gummy, sticky feel to it. I could never get it clean enough so it didn't have that feeling. Is that something the finish can sometimes do? I've also grazing in the finish over the years and some discoloring (I was going to buy a used phelham blue DG 335, but some of the blue was turning a yellow green color). Great videos though. I enjoy them even if I think I know what I'm doing. Always learn something. Cheers
Dear JIM enlighten me a little bit on how what to use and ,to refresh my gibson firebird 64 custom shop III lining case the one with the red hard lining in it thanks !!
Any idea how to remove acidity discoloring from the nitrocellulose finish? My asking tends to be acidic and I have sone staining on my beautiful Gibson Custom Shop acoustic. Appreciate any suggestions!
Master Luthier for Gibson ...That's Huge title !
I find it helps to shake the cleaner/polish before spraying/applying. That stuff settles and separates with a week or two. I use Virtuoso, but I’ve noticed most all cleaners/polishers can use a little shake before using 😎 Also, Music Nomad Guitar Detailer is made for satin/matte. I usually wait til I’m changing strings to give it a good clean and polish. 🤘🏻
Virtuoso polish FTW! That stuff performs miracles. 👍
@@R3TR0R4V3 it’s so good, you don’t even need the polish 🤣. The cleaner is absolutely amazing on its own.
@@Wargasm644 I dunno, I thought it was the other way around.. Lol. I pretty much only use the polish. My bottle of cleaner is almost full, still. 😅 They're both great products though.. Can't go wrong either way really!
@@R3TR0R4V3 lol. I’m the opposite. My polish is mostly full, and my cleaner is almost out. The polish is fantastic. But I only polish every few months . I use the cleaner weekly. And that stuff is great. When I first used the cleaner I was like “why do they even make polish?” 🤣. It works so well. The polish is great too though. Requires a bit more work, but really good.
@@R3TR0R4V3 I agree ― like totally!
The finish on my USA feels different than my ‘58 custom, is there a difference in the finish? Should I be lighter on than the other?
How about a video on how to polish out scratches from the back of the guitar (buckle rash). I have a 2004 Slash Les Paul Custom that I want to polish out the scratches to sell but I don't want to make a mess of it. Any ideas?
Thx for share this stuff
Hi there. Just noticed the polish you used says finishing cream restorative. What's the difference between these and guitar Polish both from Gibson?
My arm rubbing on satin has worn through it ..natural relic job 🙂🎸
well does it gonna mess with a green patina on a gold top, i just bought used gold top standard and i like the green patina
This is exactly what I was looking for! 🙌🏻
I've found Virtuoso cleaner and polish works well on my Gibsons
All I can think of with this is Nigel Tufnel doing a how to on cleaning the guitar, and saying, "Don't touch it!! Don't even look at it. You'll scratch the finish. Ok, you're done with that one."
Zippo lighter fluid and a soft polishing cloth to clean and a few drops of light refined linseed oil on rosewood fretboards after cleaning. Done.
Thanks Jim is awesome! This what i like. I can't wait to polish a 58 custom l lemon burst, my 70s explorer and one day that green Rust in Peace.
I'm just curious , you didn't know how to clean and polish your guitar before you saw this video????
@@mikeg.9238 nope ive only played guitar all my life, still need to learn how put on them string thingys too.
@@brandonc2859 Haha👌👍
Hi is anyone has a link to get the article to polish the back of the neck, for a satin finish?
Have a couple Gibsons so covered in gig grime that window cleaner won't touch it. Do you think I'll do harm with a 3m buffing polish?
Ione 12 Gibson guitars thanks for the info I was wondering about the Satin sinners
I have a 2016 Gibson Tribute T with a satin nitro finish, should I clean it differently?
What about something like Guitar Honey on porous fretboards? Hear a little controversy on do nothing or it is good to do. thx
Good video, this is why I hate Nitro finishes, they get scratched easily, ugh!! But they are the best for instruments.
My ebony Les Paul Traditional is impossible to polish on the area where my arm contacts the guitar. I'm skeptical of the Gibson polish being the magic remedy to this problem.
Avoiding scratches?! That just made me smile. Do you also advice this for the Ultra Heavy Aged Models?!
SCNR
:)
XD
Yes you don’t want the dust to scratch the finish on your heavily reliced guitar
I love that Les Paul with that red sunburst, It looks like the one Frank Zappa used to play 😀
how do you polish sticky gibson nitro finishes,
What do you use to clean a VOS finish that's slightly dulled down and not glossy? I have a custom shop les paul with that kind of finish, and I'm not sure what to use, so I haven't really cleaned it, just wiped it down. ANd what about the aged nickel parts? Same deal.
What is the best way to clean the pickups?
Thank you for these videos. I love my 2003 Les Paul but my metal hardware is so tarnished and hazy while the hardware on my 2000 strat is still shiny like new. Why does this happen?
It could be the difference between nickel and chrome, I just got a SG standard ‘61 and it has nickel hardware which will tarnish much faster and easier, but the normal SG standard with the big pick guard has chrome hardware which doesn’t really tarnish it just gets dirty.
In this video, I see that you covered a full gloss finish, and the satin finish for cleaning. However, I think a video on cleaning a VOS finish would be helpful. I've heard that you don't clean, or polish the finish as it will take off the VOS stuff. I'd like to hear the company's opinion on proper maintenance of a VOS finish.
I have a 60th Anniversary 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom that's becoming dirty, and I'd like to clean it up without messing up the VOS finish entirely. :]
Hi and Thank you Gibson😊maintenance#. I like it. Have a great day. regards from Australia, Queensland is on the sunny site of the Glob, Tropical Queensland. Mich
I prefer the age and patina. The aging with use and time looks cool.
I used the Gibson polish and rag on my 2017 V the second day I had it and scratched the shit out of it. Oh well, it still plays and sounds great!
I use my beanchrest leather front rest also for my guitar cleaning.
i have a custom shop black beauty it has a sticky neck no amount of polishing gets rid of it, it's the only guitar i have owned that has this issue
Good video.
And you mentioned poking your finger with string ends lol it’s unreal how much that hurts
Hello. Does anyone know how to clean an epiphone traditional pro IV, with the worn finish ? Any liquid cleaners used ?
I'd appreciate any feedback from anyone. Thanks.
Hello,
I have a Les Paul studio from 2018, can I spray directly on the guitar and rub it afterwards with a cotton cloth?...
A little hello from France to all!!!! ✌😎
Is the Gibson Guitar Polish safe for the gold hardware?
Thanks Gibson this is important stuff!... I just wish the UK dealer that sold me my black Les Paul Junior had seen this before they prepared it for shipping and ruined the finish.
That's terrible, I must have missed your video on that one. I'm glad he went over how to polish a Satin Nitrocellulos finish, I just picked up a used Michael Clifford Melody Maker with OHSC and the candy! But can definitely tell it needs a little cleaning.
So can I use a white scotch bright pad on the back of a gloss neck to make it more statin and less sticky or am I asking for trouble?
Just reading this almost made me jump out of my chair. Did you really end up trying this?
I tried Nu finish on mine and I think it patina worse. More cracks. What is the gibson polish made from. Whatever is clever, I'm going to the guitar store. Thanks
I collected money for gibson guitar! I'm hesitating to buy between gibson 2017 firebird studio or 2017 flying v. Anyway it's perfect video for guitar cleaning!
Might as well get a prs. Gibson best days are way behind them
I live near the sea, where everything gets rusty. Is there any special care if I want to keep rust away from my strings and screws and metal parts in general?
Paolo The only way to prevent that is by putting it in a climate controlled room.
This is the Yin to the Yang of Murphy Lab!
HON. SIR,
I OWN A ACOUSTIC GUITAR WHICH IS A OPEN PORE GUITAR ALL MAHOGANY BODY SOLID WOOD GUITAR. I HAVE A QUESTION..
WHAT SHOULD I USE TO MAINTAIN AND POLISH THE WOOD.. ( POLISH OR OIL ETC) KINDLY HELP.
Damn, never got a polishing cloth or small bottle of polish with my LP Standard. I guess it was too much to include in addition to the HSC 🤣
Could that Gibson polish product help for softening the hairline checking in a nitrocellulose finish (Gibson)?
ive been using Dunlop 65 on my 22 les paul trad pro v. I just figured out that it actually softens up the nitro and makes it smell really bad. it literally gives it a gummy feel that is not good. When i first got the guitar i changed the strings and used the D65 to clean it up andso before i knew, I thought it was just the way a Gibson finish was when new.. It actually cured over the last few weeks and i just cleaned it again and the gummy feel and smell is back.. It actually smells enough to give me a headache.. Glad i figured out what was causing it. Now its gonna have to cure a little more again over the next few days.
Great video! Any other tip on how to maintain the classic smell of vanilla which comes with the Gibson guitars e.g. the es 335?
I love that smell, I use the Gibson polish but I don't want the smell of this detergent to cover up the one of vanilla over time... can this happen or is it just a silly worry?
Is it vanilla essence drops or is it just the smell of the guitar cases?
My local Gibson dealer would keep vanilla candles burning in his small shop all day. 🕯🕯
@@pablo9364 I think it's the smell of the nitro/finish they use on guitars and then eventually the smell comes also in the case
@@DirkeyITA oh I see, thanks . It’s such a nice smell
I have one satin guitar from 2014 and I had no idea how to clean it
I use Parker and Baily's furniture cream ... no odor, and polishes really well.
Wadding polish for Harley Davidson chrome is perfect for the metal parts , you can get it at any autoparts store .
You use it too? I borrow it always from my neighbour 🤣
I also used some Vulcanet polish cloth (but only on poly finished guitars..won't try it on a Nitro guitar 😅) with great results
I bought a Gibson Les Paul Studio last year(2020) and it had Scratches all over the Top and it was Very Dusty, I kept it because the Serial number says it was made 02 21 20 and this is a day before my 62nd Birthday. Year(2021) I bought a Gibson Les Paul Classic this year and it was Spot on as far as QC. I know it is a Subjective term, but it needed a whole setup (meaning intonation set/ Nut filed and strings seated/Truss Rod adjusted/Pickup height adjusted/bridge height adjusted.
I've read that a microfiber cloth will scratch a lacquer finish. Is that true?
This dude seems really happy. I wish I was happy.
Any special guidance on the headstock of a Les Paul Custom?
Don't drop it
@@zachjanssen3788 - You ain’t wrong!!
poxa eu tinha uma flanela dessas...
abraços e bends
Is Dunlop 65 polish okay for nitrocellulose finishes?
do you know if its okay?
Now what about an older guitar like an ES125T?
I sure wish someone could tell me how to CLEAN my nitro finish. All anyones talks about is polishing. How do I CLEAN, CLEAN (not polish) my nice new nitro finish?
If the laquer affect electric guitar tone I bet the color do also. So guitarded!!
That Cherry Sunburst looks like an early `70's L.P. Deluxe...
What to do if I want to disinfect the guitar?
The point is you are shinning a brand new guitar that is already clean , how do i shine my 1992 Les paul custom black beauty , you know where the arm touches the top ! That's another story then , i don't think a little clothes and the push-push is enough !
It would be if you had always done this…
Exactly!
Tone is stored in the.. Nitrocellulose?
Great Stuff! Nitro finishes do indeed sound better so they are worth the love!
Yea. Love my LP.
I'm waiting for ups to deliver mine this week and can't wait.
Lol
Natural finish?
Just dust it?
We get a natural polish look on our heads at our age too. Lol
I recommend sandpaper to polish a Tom Murphy guitar lol
I personally am fine with my gibsons nitro finishes aging
Thanks for the great video. Not meant to be sarcastic, but then you pay for the custom shop to intentionally scratch your guitar to look and feel like it's been scratched for years.
great !!! guitars need love !! the best way to relic them !! hum , i think !
I believe it would be more accurate to remove the strings and knobs first
The knobs?!
@@Seanph25 pots... you get the picture
Holy Shmoly! I did not even check inside my case. I just bought a new Pro V. Not only is there a cloth, but there's a picture of my guitar sitting on a rack in the factory.
how come your not doing the edges?
What's the best for the satin finish like on the Tribute?
They cover this in the video…
Music Nomad Guitar Detailer. Made for matte or satin finishes.
Thanks I never got to finish watching I was at work,.
To sum up 8 min of video - buy polishing cloth and sprey. Sprey the cloth and polish your guitar. Lightly. Even more lightly if it is satin finish.
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Ever so gently in a circular motion. And, don’t forget to use separate micro-fiber cloths for both the body and the fingerboard
@@blissfulhumanoid9536 nah, too much details
My mans went on vacation
Dude polished his head for the video I just know it