Lighter Fluid To Clean Your Bass

BulbousMoses · #1 09-30-2011, 07:33 AM

Hey..I've heard from several disparate sources that you can and should use naptha or lighter fluid to clean the finish of your bass. I hear that it won't harm the finish and evaporates very quicky, leaving no residue. The guitar polish that I've been using recently definitely leaves a residue.

Clark Dark · #2 09-30-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BulbousMoses

Hey..I've heard from several disparate sources that you can and should use naptha or lighter fluid to clean the finish of your bass. I hear that it won't harm the finish and evaporates very quicky, leaving no residue. The guitar polish that I've been using recently definitely leaves a residue.

wouldn't the use of either of those two tend to erode the finish?

Jimi Hendrix - Fire w/Lyrics - YouTube

JMac4strngr · #3 09-30-2011, 07:44 AM

Well, I'd say that Napth/VMP works great for remove'n sticker residue and grime and the like without harming the finish or plastic parts. Id still follow up with a polish that wouldn't leave a residue. If You happen to get it on a rosewood fretboard, Id definitly follow up with some lemon oil or the like.

I'm sure someone will follow up with something "better", but these are my experiences with using it.

Lo-E · #4 09-30-2011, 07:51 AM

Lighter fluid is mostly naphtha, and it does work well for cleaning stubborn grunge off of instruments. It's a very mild solvent and, IME anyway, doesn't harm finishes. It also works really well for cleaning finger crud off of fingerboards.

It is not a polish, however, so follow JMac's advice and follow up with a good quality polish and a little bit of oil for the fingerboard (unless the f/board has a finish on it as well - then just use polish there, too).

BulbousMoses · #5 09-30-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark Dark

wouldn't the use of either of those two tend to erode the finish?

Jimi Hendrix - Fire w/Lyrics - YouTube

From what I've read, if you use it sparingly, it doesn't cause problems to the finish. It evaporates very quickly so unless you dunk your entire bass in it (not recommended) it is supposed to be finish neutral. It's an ingredient in shoe polish so I don't think it's harmful.

punkinfantry · #6 09-30-2011, 07:58 AM

Love Potion #9 is pretty amazing for cleaning any wooden instrument!

DMS - Love Potion™

1958Bassman · #7 09-30-2011, 08:28 AM

Test it in an area under a pick guard or control cover plate first. Most of what's on an instrument is water-based and skin oil, so most mild cleaners will work. I have used Martin Guitar Polish and it should be sprayed on the cloth first- I have had some spots from it if I sprayed it onto the instrument. It's OK for lacquer finishes, too. If it's a polyester finish, I use Fantastic or something like that, followed by Eagle One Wax As U Dry. It leaves it slick, shiny and it helps to keep the crud off later (unless it's hot and sticky) or at least easier to wipe off.

bassmachine2112 · #8 09-30-2011, 10:02 AM

Do not smoke when using this or you,ll be doin a Hendrix at monteray impersonation-cool at a gig but not in your sitting room.
Seriously it is a good cleaner solvent with loads of uses.
Always try on a part you cant see first until you know it doesn,t do any damage.
Works very well in zippo lighters.

tstone · #9 09-30-2011, 10:39 AM

It's a very effective cleaner and safe on any finish you're likely to encounter. It's what most knowledgeable techs and repairmen use. Of course, you don't want to go overboard with it, or any liquid. Don't pour it on, just dampen a rag with it and wipe.

Don't buy it as lighter fluid, though -- too expensive. Buy it at a paint or hardware store as VM&P (Varnish Makers and Painters) Naphtha.

KillerNeuron · #10 09-30-2011, 10:51 AM

I used it on a strat that had been previously covered in stickers, 100%. Worked like a charm! Just don't smoke a cig while you clean...

walterw · #11 09-30-2011, 12:05 PM

i use naphtha all the time (not zippo lighter fluid, i think that has added oils and stuff to burn more smoothly, i just use that in my zippo for heat-shrinking stuff). it dissolves grease, gum, stickers, finger gunk, all of it, without hurting the finish.

one trick i've discovered is that plain water will get some things that naphtha won't touch, and vice-versa; i'll soak a little naphtha on a paper towel, then spray a bit of water on there, too. the combination really works to clean guitar finishes.

Turnaround · #12 09-30-2011, 12:49 PM

+1 on the use of water as a cleaner. For those who are compulsive about it, Frank Ford recommends de-ionized water. It does clean better.

FreakyFruit · #13 09-30-2011, 04:56 PM

Don't use lighter fluid unless it is chemically pure naptha! Otherwise it leaves more residue. You can get some naptha from your local hardware store.

walterw · #14 09-30-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turnaround

+1 on the use of water as a cleaner. For those who are compulsive about it, Frank Ford recommends de-ionized water. It does clean better.

i've never messed with de-ionized water. tell us about it (and where would i get it?)

droo46 · #15 09-30-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

i've never messed with de-ionized water. tell us about it (and where would i get it?)

Isn't Smart Water that you would get in a convenience store de-ionized?

Turnaround · #16 09-30-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

i've never messed with de-ionized water. tell us about it (and where would i get it?)

Check what Frank Ford has to say about it:

FRETS.COM

It's not a universal cleaner, but it will do things that other solvents, like naphtha, cannot do. Just another tool in the toolbox, but a very useful one.

WILL WAHL · #17 09-30-2011, 09:08 PM

I've used car polish on my guitars! never had a problem!

202dy · #18 09-30-2011, 10:10 PM

De-ionized water does a pretty fair job of removing dirt from bare wood. For example, like the dirt that gets caught in the divots caused by repetitive, careless pick marks that have burned through the finish on an acoustic top. The idea is to use water sparingly. It is easy to do more damage.

As far as car wax goes, watch out for silicone. It will interfere with any future touch up work. It also transfers to the bench and by default, everything that is subsequently placed on the bench. It is the luthiery equivalent to e coli.

frianbisher · #19 10-02-2011, 11:36 AM

Lighter fluid works great for goo like others have said but DO NOT use it on a satin finish. Had a colleague learn that the hard way.

202dy · #20 10-02-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frianbisher

Lighter fluid works great for goo like others have said but DO NOT use it on a satin finish. Had a colleague learn that the hard way.

It is important to make sure that a solvent is compatible with the finish. The sheen has nothing to do with choosing a solvent.