The Steel Guitar
Information Resource

Polishing your guitar keeps it looking nice and helps it maintain its value over time.

When using any polishes or cleaners:

1. Test the product on a small area which is not prominent (a totally hidden area would be underneath the pickup).
2. Apply the product to a clean, soft cloth and THEN use the product (which is on the cloth) on the steel guitar.

It is best NOT to use spray products, as they have a tendency to go where you do not want them to go!

Here are some tips we think you will find useful.

Formica Guitars:   Do NOT use abrasive cleaners (such as automotive rubbing compound) on formica-type products. These cleaners can rub away the very thin layer of gloss and color on the laminate (leaving a cloudy, white area)! Shown above is one of several products we like to use: Meguiar's Show Car Glaze #7. This is a non-abrasive cleaner and polish which works well on both formica-type surfaces and lacquer finishes.

If your guitar has a padded neck, we like to use STP's "Son of a Gun Protectant" or Armor All to clean and maintain the vinyl covering on the pad.

Polishing Chrome or Aluminum:   We recommend Mother's Aluminum Polish or Meguiar's #28 All-Metal Polish. Both of these cleaners are non-abrasive and will do a very good job of cleaning and polishing the metal on your steel guitar.

Removing Light Scratches in Polished Aluminum: This requires a polish which has a small amount of grit or "cut" in it. For this we find Happich Simichrome Polish to be very good.

Lacquer Care:   Light scratches in the lacquer finish usually can be removed by using a mild automotive rubbing compound, such Meguiar's #2.