Safe way to clean an old steel?

james Peters · Post by **james Peters** » 3 May 2007 1:26 pm

I just got a 1949 Gibson Console Grand D-8. (Yes, it is xmas in May for me today!!) What's the safest way to clean up the surface? Mild soap and warm water? Any suggestions? Don't want to hurt the finish.

Steve Alcott · Post by **Steve Alcott** » 3 May 2007 2:05 pm

Murphy's Oil Soap might be effective; start out with it diluted and see what happens.

William Clark · Post by **William Clark** » 7 May 2007 9:13 pm

I use Virtuoso Premium Polish and Premium Cleaner. I usually buy it at Guitar Center and a bottle will last a long time. I have bought a couple of Fender Pedal Steels that have seen a lot of time in smokey bars. The cleaner took a lot of the nicotine gunk off as well as 40 years of spilled beer! Nitrocelulose lacquor is porous and will pick up all sorts of gunk. Get yourself some good polishing rags and change them often. I pick up flannel rags in bulk at Wal Mart or the auto parts store. Also, Dan Erlewine's book on how to set up electric and acoustic guitars has a whole chapter on how to clean vintage instruments. Congrats on getting a Console Grande. They are great sounding steels.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 8 May 2007 5:01 am

The finish on your guitar will be lacquer. DO NOT use any water on it or any Oil Soap!!!

Go to a good auto supply place and get some McGuires polish. They come in about 8 different grades, and there is one, I think #6 that might be a combination cleaner/wax, and #7 is great also. Just use an old cotton Tshirt and start hand buffing/rubbing on the finish. You will be amazed what you might end up with.