Lemon oil is one popular way musicians remove dirt, grime and other buildup from the neck of guitars.
Meguiar's products are used by car enthusiasts to protect automotive finishes. The company then teamed with leading guitar manufacturer Fender to introduce guitar polish and finishing products. Although most musicians are likely to spend more money on their vehicle than on a guitar, protecting a guitar's finish from fading, cracking and warping can help preserve its value and help regain its original pristine appearance. While mastering a musical instrument can take years if not decades of dedication, polishing an instrument is a task every musician should be able to accomplish with relative ease.
Instructions
Polish the Instrument
1. Wipe the surface of your instrument with a nonabrasive cloth, gently removing streaks, dirt and grime buildup. For individuals cleaning guitars, cellos, violins or any other instrument with a neck, gently wipe the surface of the neck, removing buildups of grease, oil and dirt that may accumulate on or under strings.
2. Spray a clean piece of cloth with Meguiar's Mist and Wipe and wipe the surface of the instrument. Remove any lingering streaks or buildups of dirt, oil and grease before attempting to use the Polish and Conditioner. Repeat as necessary with a fresh, clean cloth until all dirt, oil and swirl marks are removed from the finish.
3. Spray a clean cloth with the Meguiars Polish and Conditioner. Apply the polish-covered cloth in a circular motion to the instrument's surface until the surface has a reflective shine. Concentrate on one area at a time. Some areas may require multiple treatments of polish before regaining a shine.
4. Wipe the instrument's surface with a clean cloth. Remove all remaining streaks and traces of polish. Be sure to use a cloth that does not have polish or any other substance on it, as you'll be using this cloth to remove any lingering buildup on the instrument's surface. For hard-to-reach places on the instrument, such as the surface between the strings and body of a guitar or underneath the keys of a saxophone, use a cotton swab to remove excess dust or grime.
