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| cleaning up unfinished top wood http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=41034 |
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| Author: | shadahall [ Sat Aug 03, 2013 11:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | cleaning up unfinished top wood |
hi, what is the best way to clean up an unfinished (no clearcoat) sitka spruce top wood? it's dirty, finger smudges, lacks luster, etc. it's not too bad visually other than it kind of looks lifeless. i can post a pic if necessary. thanks, shad  update: here is a pic of the guitar. |
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| Author: | shadahall [ Sat Aug 03, 2013 12:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
p.s. in researching on fingerboard oils, cleaners and other things, i found people talking about formby's build-up remover ( http://www.formbys.com/products/buildup_remover.cfm? ) for cleaning nasty old fingerboards. do you think this product is gentle enough for an unfinished top as well? |
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| Author: | Alex Kleon [ Sat Aug 03, 2013 1:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
I wouldn't use the Formby's or any other wood cleaner on bare wood. They are meant for finished woods. If you put that on bare wood, finish may not adhere properly. I'll let the knowledgeable suggest what would be best to use. Alex |
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| Author: | meddlingfool [ Sat Aug 03, 2013 1:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
Is that a baby Taylor? I'm just not so sure that the finish is not supposed to be like that.... |
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| Author: | Nick Royle [ Sat Aug 03, 2013 1:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
Yeah, is that not a matte/satin finish? |
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| Author: | shadahall [ Sat Aug 03, 2013 1:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
meddlingfool wrote: Is that a baby Taylor? I'm just not so sure that the finish is not supposed to be like that.... yes, it's a baby taylor. Type/Shape: 6-String 15/16 Size Dreadnought Back & Sides: Sapele Top: Sitka Spruce Neck: Tropical American Mahogany Fretboard: Ebony actually, i couldn't find it on taylor's website, but found some [more] info here: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/taylor-big-baby-taylor-acoustic-guitar Nick Royle wrote: Yeah, is that not a matte/satin finish? most likely, nick. |
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| Author: | TimAllen [ Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
For unfinished spruce, I'd first try a soft rubber eraser. For an unknown but intact finish, I'd experiment with naphtha or deionized water. For a contemporary synthetic matte finish, I'd be tempted to try a soft rag slightly damp with water mixed with a little dish detergent. |
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| Author: | Nick Royle [ Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
I got a bit of lemon oil on a Baby Taylor once and the thing is still shiny as... Careful with what you choose. |
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| Author: | the Padma [ Sun Aug 04, 2013 6:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
First off that Baby T suppose to have a mat varnish finish...so in theory a damp cloth and mild soap should clean it. However...best hear it from the horses mouth instead of our end.  Taylor Service and Support/Maintenance Vids Care & Feeding... http://www.taylorguitars.com/see-hear/default.aspx?id=1004 Oh and by the way...why you letting grubbly dirty fingers manhandle yer ax? Hmmm? |
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| Author: | shadahall [ Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
the Padma wrote: First off that Baby T suppose to have a mat varnish finish...so in theory a damp cloth and mild soap should clean it. However...best hear it from the horses mouth instead of our end. Taylor Service and Support/Maintenance Vids Care & Feeding... http://www.taylorguitars.com/see-hear/default.aspx?id=1004 Oh and by the way...why you letting grubbly dirty fingers manhandle yer ax? Hmmm? thanks for the replies, everyone! a damp cloth with warm water did the trick. thanks, "the padma". also, i don't play with dirty and grubby hands. however, my friend who has played this guitar since he was in high school may not have used such guidelines.  i have succinctly documented the entire process here in this blog for you all: http://jimistaylor.blogspot.com so this concludes the thread and again, i appreciate everyone's input and support. jimi stopped by this evening excitedly to pick up his guitar and was quite satisfied with the results. happy customers are a wonderful thing. cheers! shad
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| Author: | Michael.N. [ Mon Aug 05, 2013 4:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
 I can sit and watch that all day
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| Author: | shadahall [ Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: cleaning up unfinished top wood |
well, i guess that's the one aspect of the servicing that i didn't document, filippo. while the strings were still off, (i didn't remove the bridge) i just damp-wiped the guitar top and then immediately dried it. that was all it need, so i guess it was pretty minimal grime in that case.
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