Cleaning a black bass

Try acetone or xylene.

J/K - NO SERIOUSLY DON'T DO THAT.

 

Black basses -- the gifts that keep on giving.

Martin Polish and a soft cloth. Repeat.

 

I've heard really good things about Zymol.

Personally, I've never used anything but sweat, and the occasional dribble of saliva and or beer to wipe a bass down with. Word on the street is I'm kind of a pig......

 

Its a losing battle but...

Stew-Mac offers a variety pack of "micro mesh" abrasive pads. The finest can actually be used to polish optical lenses. Just use a mild soapy water as lubricant / medium and gently rub-out the superficial stuff. Forget what grit you're supposed to start with...you may want to contact Stew-Mac for guidance. I'm sure somebody else here on the forum can offer some addt'l insight.

Riis

 

I have used car wax with great results get a soft rag,you dont want a harsh wax that will discolor, I used Nu Car wax it is gentle, lightly apply in swirling motion it will also remove light scratches.You will need a few Q-tips but this will shine like a new penny

 

I dunno about scratches, but for fingerprints & general cleaning, I've had good results from Dunlop's guitar polish and some Brasso for the metal parts

 

I'd clean a black bass the same way I clean a largemouth bass, a striped bass, a sea bass, etc.

 

I gave up trying to polish my black basses.

 

The "cleaning" method I use is, I don't let it get dirty. I wipe it down with a super soft flannel cloth after each use. This will remove fingerprints, prespiration, dust etc. If you need to "Polish" the black paint, use a fine quality automotive polish, not a scratch remover, that is too harsh. The cloth is very important, it must be soft and clean. You should not have to apply any wax, only the fine polish. Chrome and fretboards take a different approach.

 

I have a Spector NS4CR with a translucent black finish. I use Dr. Duck's AxWax - the cloth comes with it, and it's good for the body, fretboard, hardware, and strings. I love the stuff!

 

Also, I'm with Rocky, I wipe down my bass after every use. Extends string life, keeps the neck from getting dingy and gross and removes fingerprints from the body.

If I need to make it all shiny and new looking, I use Windex on the body and painted areas.

 

Most of the time, a clean, soft cloth will wipe off most finger prints and the like. A good guitar polish is also a good idea from time to time.

Scratches and dings are character and sort of belong there after a while.

 

Meguire's Deep Crystal System Carnauba Wax.



Step # 3 is the wax-only version and has no cleaners or abrasives.

Do NOT go in circles - if you have a small spec of dirt in the cloth, you'll just create all sorts of swirl marks that are impossible to hide.

Try to go only in straight line - it's kinda hard on a body - but work at it so the possible scratches will not be as obvious. This is true of cars and guitars.

 

I think it depends on the finish. What type (polyurethane, polyester, lacquer), and how well it is applied.

Tom Anderson recommended Meguiar's Quick Detailer for their guitars and it works great. The do a UV cured poly(urethane??).

 

I'm supposed to clean it?

 

My favorite for cleaning my black bass (92 MIM Jazz) is a soft washcloth (the 10-12 for about $3 at wallyworld) and occasionally some dunlops 65

 

Use a micro-fiber fleece rag like the ones they sale for washing your car at the local auto parts store. Windex off any goo and finger prints. Then use plastic wax to finish.

 

Car wax is great for most all poly finishes. Is also good for matte finishes if you want a little bit of sheen.

 

Dry micro fiber and wipe down every time I play..I never thought of waxing it..I cant imagine really gigging my black L-2000 and it not accumulating scratches and scuffs...as was said before...it adds to the charm..