Virtuoso Guitar Polish

justfine99

Hi folks

Does anybody know where I can find Virtuoso guitar polish. I have a Gibson Explorer ('99) and no matter
what, the nitro finish just acts when my arm rests on the side while playing, friction from jeans etc. Apparently this is the only stuff that gets the grime off.

Thanks

Attila

I've used a bit mineral turps on a soft cloth to get rid of that kind of oil based grime, will not harm the paint job.

justfine99

Hi Attila

Thanks for the reply, I have haze like marks/streaks from where my arm rests and wiping it with a 100% cotton cloth
with luke warm water just does nothing. If I rub a bit harder I can see how the smudges just form circular shapes as I'm rubbing. Do you think the turps will remove this gunk?

Attila

Yes you will find it more noticeable on dark gloss surfaces such as black. Its the natural oil residue from your skin. Its pretty similar thing to finger prints on your Iphone screen screen.

Not much you can do about that I'm afraid other than wipe regularly or buy a lighter colored instrument.

AlanRatcliffe

Naptha will remove a lot of the gunk. Also wiping down with naphtha after playing will help.

Unfortunately the real problem is a reaction between your sweat and nitrocellulose lacquer, which changes the composition of the finish. The only real permanent cure is to refinish with a different type of finish, like urethane. I've had some success in layering a coat or two of urethane over the existing finish, but in the long run I expect cracking in the nitro with urethane over the top.

justfine99

Hi Alan / Attila

I have used naphtha and it tends to loosen it, but then it just spreads around ?
I have read that you should use a "thousand" different pieces of cloth and change out with a clean
one every few wipes in order to actually get the gunk off.......... eventually.

Although people swear by this virtuoso polish so it seems like an easier route (laughs), but
I guess I need to get rid of some old T-Shirts, so I'll give it a try. I have had issues with this finish
since the day I got it and Gibson claims it allows the wood to breath and gives way better resonance, but
seriously my Fender AM Std sounds just as good (no finish problems) and even my Fender MIM Tele with a poly finish.

I am seriously thinking off taking your advice and getting a different finish like Urethane, which is way easier to maintain.

Anyway guys.... thank you so much for the replies!

Banditman

You could also just look at it as the normal wear that comes from a well-loved and cared for instrument that has a nitro finish. I have the same basic thing happening on my Les Paul.

Consider it a genuine road worn look done the right way.

Attila

I like your resistance cutting up your T-shirt ? I told one of the young girls on our staff that I have T-shirts older that she is.

Wasn't too far out, I found a T-shirt that had a date on it 1997 when we started the countries 1st wireless internet company ? ? so I was a few years out who's counting

lapdawg

I personally would worry too much - I really like the character of wear and tear, especially wear and tear from using it for what it was built for. You can buy a new guitar, you can't buy character. Just my opinion.

I have done a bit of reading on nitro lacquer & there are few interesting things that I have found out.
Apparently the nitro of old was pure nitrocellulose. This lacquer was hard & brittle. It was very susceptible to cracking, but fairly resistant to sweat etc.
If what I read is to be believed - no big guitar manufacturers use pure nitro in their finishes -some say not even close.
There are various plasticizers & additives in the nitro to specifically stop cracking & to improve the spraying properties. Apparently the law in the US is very loose at to what can be called "nitro" lacquer. I have heard of what you are experiencing on Gibsons from 70's, 80's & beyond. I think Singemonkey mentioned that he has a similar thing happening on the back of his SG neck.

The first nitro lacquer I bought had a very strong smell of ammonia once the thinners had evaporated. The pure nitro lacquer cannot be found locally. You cannot ship it internationally either. I bought the pure nitro "prills" (solid nitrocellulose) online and have now dissolved & used that - It is very different & certainly what I prefer.

justfine99

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all the advice ?

I think I am a bit "anal" when it comes to keeping things clean, especially my guitar, so I will definitely keep trying
to get it sorted. I am all for dings and scratches which gives the guitar "battle scars" but I just can't
deal with these horrible smudges, to me that is not character, it's just plain dirty ? but each to their own I guess.

Thanks again for all your input guys!