Proper Cleanup of Steel

John Booth · Post by **John Booth** » 27 Apr 2016 10:50 am

Guys, what do you clean your MICA with,
and also what do you like to use on your chrome?
Thanks Fellas,
JB

Wesley Medlen · Post by **Wesley Medlen** » 27 Apr 2016 11:25 am

I was told to use car wax on my mica. Go to a auto parts store and get MOTHERS Mag and Aluminum polish

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 27 Apr 2016 12:40 pm

If Mica or Lacquer is really mungy, I clean first with Meguiar's Professional Swirl Remover 2.0. It's so gentle that it doesn't harm the patina of a lacquered guitar, but will really clean it perfectly. Their Show Car Glaze gives a nice polish. For chrome and polished aluminum, I use California Custom Purple Polish. The fastest and the best. If the aluminum is really oxidized I use the Deoxidizer first.
Before;

Less than 5 minutes later; I don't like to waste time or elbow greeze with old-fashioned polishes like Nevrdull.

http://www.californiacustom.com

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 27 Apr 2016 4:22 pm

It's been awhile so here you go:

http://youtu.be/_H-I7Jv9Aww

RC

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 27 Apr 2016 4:41 pm

Rick!

Bwaaaa! I love it!
JB

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 27 Apr 2016 4:49 pm

For normal cleaning and polishing, for the mica, I use the same spray guitar polish I use on all my standard gloss finished axes. Martin, Planet Waves or whatever is on hand. For the brightwork, the Simichrome by Happich clickhere that murdercyclists use to polish their shiny parts is good.

For really grungy ones, Rick has the answer.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 27 Apr 2016 5:59 pm

Rick, you forgot to mention that you can sweeten the tone of the guitar by lubricating the changer with honey.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 27 Apr 2016 8:24 pm

Rick Campbell wrote:It's been awhile so here you go:

http://youtu.be/_H-I7Jv9Aww

RC

Dang Rick. You beat me to the punch. I have that video bookmarked, and show it to everyone I know. I've only seen 6 players try your method, but those guitars are the cleanest I have ever seen.

Dustin Rigsby · Post by **Dustin Rigsby** » 28 Apr 2016 3:23 am

Isn't Formica what they use on kitchen countertops ?

http://www.formica.com/en/us/homeowner- ... mendations

Jim Pitman · Post by **Jim Pitman** » 28 Apr 2016 4:37 am

Rick (unless you are 8' tall) that Emmons looks like it has shrunk perhaps from repeated high heat pressure cleanings.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 28 Apr 2016 5:53 am

Dustin Rigsby wrote:Isn't Formica what they use on kitchen countertops ?

Yes. For that reason the power wash works really well.

DG Whitley · Post by **DG Whitley** » 28 Apr 2016 6:35 am

Rick, you might need to add a disclaimer that states: No Pedal Steel Guitars were damaged or destroyed in the making of this video. Please consult the manufacturer of your Pedal Steel Guitar for additional cleaning steps.

I love that video.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 28 Apr 2016 6:36 am

Watch to the end. There IS a disclaimer

DG Whitley · Post by **DG Whitley** » 28 Apr 2016 6:42 am

Yes there is Lane, and I saw that one. I was just trying to be funny on adding to it. Must not have been humorous, my bad. Sorry about that.

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 28 Apr 2016 8:15 am

Rick, that video always cracks me up but the funny thing, I did clean a D-10 Dekley at the car wash. It had been in a house fire and had no burn damage, just smoke damage and believe me, it was black. Before I took guitar apart, I carried to car wash and used the pressure washer with soap and cleaned it up really good. Saved a lot of time. I was careful not to separate the mica. I then disassembled entire guitar and cleaned further and put back together and project came out good. Guitar is still being played today and water did no permanent damage. I wouldn't advise this though unless you plan on taking all apart to dry and clean.

Allan Jirik · Post by **Allan Jirik** » 28 Apr 2016 5:24 pm

After trying all that stuff a soft rag on the mica and Mothers when needed on the metal.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 28 Apr 2016 5:28 pm

Gosh! You guys are so used to using old stuff. There are much better new choices now! Just look at those pics I posted.
You wanna waste time? Use the old stuff.

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 28 Sep 2016 2:46 am

Lane Gray wrote:Watch to the end. There IS a disclaimer

Yeah but he did it to that guitar..

I could hear the pickup magnets rust...

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 28 Sep 2016 4:04 am

Here's a trick I learned from a builder whom I won't mention here. Add a little flour to aluminum cleaner and mix good before polishing aluminum.

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Proper Cleanup of Steel

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