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-   -   Help. Best cleaner for sticky build up on back of bass neck? (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/help-best-cleaner-sticky-build-up-back-bass-neck-945172/)

Stewie26 01-02-2013 01:24 PM

Help. Best cleaner for sticky build up on back of bass neck?
 
Just wondering what is the best cleaner for getting off the sweat and grim from the back of the bass neck. I like my neck as slippery as possible. I have tried different cleaners but many times the neck is still sticky. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

baba 01-02-2013 01:26 PM

Naphtha. Also known as the Zippo lighter fluid in the yellow plastic bottle.

mmbongo 01-02-2013 01:34 PM

I hit it with some steel wool.

TheFenderBender 01-02-2013 01:39 PM

furniture polish is what I've always used, and do not use steel wool...

dtripoli 01-02-2013 01:40 PM

Seriously?!
Light fluid
Steel wool...what the heck, everybody is a comedienne?
neither of those items are even allowed in the same room with my basses.

Now if you want to strip the paint off your neck those items may work.
last time I had this problem I just used a gentle wood cleaner and a pad used to clean Teflon pots, it's non-scratch

BTW, wipe the neck down often during use with a cotton cloth.
Also you might try a small dose of baby powder on your palm before playing

bobbybass85 01-02-2013 01:44 PM

Steel wool works wonders. Don't let it touch your finish on the body, but it'll knock the gloss down on the neck and give you a more satin-like finish and feel.

And lighter fluid works well. I had an experience with an unknown substance appearing on my neck after a friend played it... cleaned it right off and left no traces, just don't smoke while doing it.

Arial Bender 01-02-2013 01:47 PM

I might be tempted to use WD 40, Its fishoil based and is a much better cleaner than lube.

Kopfjaeger 01-02-2013 02:50 PM

Seriously, Naptha (lighter fluid) will not harm your factory finish one bit. Don't use anything more solvent related like denatured alcohol. Naptha will work like magic on most grime and adhesives. Make sure you wax the area afterward since it will take off wax.
Seriously.

Sepp

Biggbass 01-02-2013 03:31 PM

0000 steel wool

pacojas 01-02-2013 05:09 PM

i use fine sand paper!

mpdd 01-02-2013 05:14 PM

used gibson guitar polish, it stinks though

EagleMoon 01-02-2013 05:49 PM

They're not kidding you. Lighter fluid does work to clean gunk of of the neck and strings, though I can't stand the smell of it. I just use rubbing alcohol on gloss necks. It's never hurt anything yet.

Stewie26 01-02-2013 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleMoon (Post 13659660)
They're not kidding you. Lighter fluid does work to clean gunk of of the neck and strings, though I can't stand the smell of it. I just use rubbing alcohol on gloss necks. It's never hurt anything yet.

Thanks guys. I will give lighter fluid a shot. I have to go out and buy some sense my Zippo lighter has been dead for years.

StuartV 01-02-2013 06:38 PM

0000 steel wool or a Scotch Brite pad (I forget which color, but it would be the equivalent of Ultra Fine, I think).

Jeff Scott 01-02-2013 06:45 PM

+∞ on the Naphtha; you can buy a can of Naphtha at most real hardware stores, no additives like there might be in lighter fluid. Great for cleaning everything on your instrument.

Andybart 01-02-2013 08:17 PM

I've been using Simple Green and a clean cotton old shirt for a rag. Works great and you can use it on every part of your bass. If that doesn't get the gunk off then I don't know. Wash your hands before you play, it'll save your strings longer too!

Floyd Eye 01-02-2013 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtripoli (Post 13658455)
Seriously?!
Light fluid
Steel wool...what the heck, everybody is a comedienne?
neither of those items are even allowed in the same room with my basses.

Now if you want to strip the paint off your neck those items may work.
last time I had this problem I just used a gentle wood cleaner and a pad used to clean Teflon pots, it's non-scratch

BTW, wipe the neck down often during use with a cotton cloth.
Also you might try a small dose of baby powder on your palm before playing


Lighter fluid contains Naptha, which is the most commonly used solvent in the world for finished wood and many other things. Although I would use straight Naptha ( available at Home Depot) rather than lighter fluid, as lighter fluid has a few other things in it ( none of which will hurt anything as far as I know, but I like Naptha. lol)

Also 0000 steel wool is perfectly fine on fretboards, but I would not use it on a finish other than during the finishing process.

mimaz 01-02-2013 08:29 PM

OK, I'm a little biased, but here's a very informative thread from someone who really knows!

http://www.crookcustomguitars.com/20...drome-guitars/

smperry 01-02-2013 08:36 PM

Moved. When I had basses with buildup, I'd use a Dobie pad, or Scotchbrite pad (the light duty one).

Jamie Mallender 01-02-2013 08:39 PM

Bit of cheap-assed furniture polish, take off the residue with a slightly damp cloth - play Sir Duke!


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