cleaning a bass

elavate7 · #1 10-03-2010, 08:50 PM

what can i use to clean the finish on my bass?

Slowgypsy · #2 10-04-2010, 11:23 AM

Tons of products out there. Lots of folks will have their personal favorite. The only thing I know you should NOT use are products that contain silicone. And since there are so many products made for instruments that don't have it, should be easy to find. I use LizardSpit products. But that's just me....
http://www.lizardspit.com/

Pilgrim · #3 10-04-2010, 11:57 AM

Virtuoso cleaner and polish are safe for any guitar/bass finish.

http://www.virtuosopolish.com/

RickBassLA · #4 10-23-2010, 11:26 AM

It really depends on your finish. Satin finishes require different treatment than oiled or waxed finishes as do nitro finishes. Poly finishes can take almost anything (including silicone).

TGLbass · #5 10-24-2010, 12:05 PM

mineral spirits

Pilgrim · #6 10-24-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGLbass

mineral spirits

I sure wouldn't.

I repeat: http://www.virtuosopolish.com/

I'm not sure why SO MANY people insist on using products which are not designed for musical instrument finishes. You spend hundreds of dollars on a bass, spend another couple of bucks to clean and polish it with something meant for the application.

spaz21387 · #7 10-24-2010, 06:53 PM

I use lizard spit cleaners too... They seem to bring back the shine and they claim to make scratches look like they arent there. Im not so sure about that though

TGLbass · #8 10-24-2010, 09:08 PM

Dan Erlewine's book. That's where I got the mineral spirits thing. Charcaol lighter fluid. Naptha. I don't use it on laquer.

I have to say that I buy basses from craigslist and every one is full of gack on the bridges and chrome parts. Crud on the pick guards and body and MS's just takes it all right off and leaves it clean. You don't soak down a rag . You wipe over where you clean with a clean dry rag. So that's one rag with a little spirits and one clean rag. It works great and it will kill all the germs and bacteria from grubby bass players who never clean thier axes---and that's alot of them. I've had to do this to at least 25 basses. Most are so filthy that I have to do what I call a "strip and clean". I take apart the whole bridge and remove tuners etc.... I've disassembled complete guitars before to get all the grime off of them. It kind of pisses me off to have to do that so much. Believe me I'm not some kind of germafobe either. I guess here where I live all the bass players must rub thier hands with fried chicken and then never wipe it off thier guitar.

A good thing for body dullness is Mcguiers swirl mark remover

Bass.Frk101 · #9 10-24-2010, 09:10 PM

Just use Lemon Oil

RustyAxe · #10 10-24-2010, 09:23 PM

Unless it's really trashed, you can just use some water and a mild detergent, then wipe it dry. If it's really grungy, the luthiers' choice would be naptha (Ronsonal lighter fluid is naptha) which is safe on nitro and poly finishes. Don't use anything that contains silicone (most commercial polishes). If you ever want/need refinishing or repair the silicone will make the job much more costly (all the finish has to be removed, and the new finish may or may not adhere properly).

Once it's clean, wipe it with a microfiber cloth after playing, maybe a damp cloth if you need it.

Marton · #11 10-24-2010, 09:25 PM

Water and a clean cloth. Dry and Polish with a Sham-wow or similar stuff. Works great, and cheap.

Joe Nerve · #12 10-24-2010, 09:29 PM

Ernie Ball guitar polish. Pledge. Windex. Lemon Oil. Other brands of guitar polish. Lots of stuff. Clorox and Ammonia aren't good choices though. Neither is Brillo, though some might argue.

tk4207 · #13 10-24-2010, 09:34 PM

I use T-123R Turtle Wax with water (50/50 mix) for my Rickenbacker (works like a charm) and I suppose it should work for other finishes too, but don't quote me on that.

RustyAxe · #14 10-25-2010, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGLbass

Charcaol lighter fluid. Naptha. I don't use it on laquer.

I'm not so sure about that. Cigarette lighter fluid (Ronsinol) is naptha. And naptha is perfectly safe on nitrocellulose laquer ... even recommended.

Pilgrim · #15 10-25-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGLbass

Dan Erlewine's book. That's where I got the mineral spirits thing.

In that case, I bow to the suggestion and won't argue with it again (though it's not my personal preference). Erlewine knows more about stringed instruments than anyone else around.

**251** · #16 10-25-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elavate7

what can i use to clean the finish on my bass?

Glass cleaner gets the dirt off & evaporates with no residue. Guitar wax keeps the dirt off the finish & makes it easier to clean.

elavate7 · #17 10-25-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 251

Glass cleaner gets the dirt off & evaporates with no residue. Guitar wax keeps the dirt off the finish & makes it easier to clean.

i have some glass cleaner....so what do i use to wipe it?

**251** · #18 10-25-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elavate7

i have some glass cleaner....so what do i use to wipe it?

Confused - I can't tell where you are & be sure we're talking about the same thing. I use a spray-on cleaner (Windex, Glass Plus, ...) which is water & tiny amounts of ammonia & alcohol. I spray on enough to clean without soaking the electronics & wipe it off with paper towel or a soft, clean cloth. Do you have something similar?

Creamy glass cleaners that dry & leave a powder to wipe off are NOT good for your bass. I don't think making your own spray-on cleaner would be good either.

kai_ski · #19 10-25-2010, 01:54 PM

A soft cotton cloth and a some elbow grease.

Skywalker83 · #20 10-25-2010, 02:10 PM

i've been using this stuff, works a charm and smells great too...

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/ddaxwax.html