Preserve the life and improve the playability of your instrument.<\/p>\r\n
By Jeff Owens<\/p>\r\n
One of the best and easiest ways to take care of your guitar is to simply keep it clean.<\/p>\r\n
Dirt, dust, sweat, skin oil, spilled beverages, smoke and other gunk can prematurely age your guitar\u2019s finish and hardware. Fight back\u2014some basic cleaning know-how can go a long way toward keeping your instrument looking beautiful.<\/p>\r\n
Wipe the strings, neck and bridge often with a lint-free cloth.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
Wipe metal parts clean with a soft, dry polishing cloth. You don\u2019t need to spray anything on them; simply wiping them off will usually suffice quite nicely.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
Clean finished wood surfaces\u2014the body of your instrument, that is\u2014with cleaning agents made specifically for guitars; available at most music stores (visit the \u201cCare & Cleaning\u201d section of Fender.com for plenty of stuff to do this with).<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
Do not use anything other than what we just told you about to clean finished wood surfaces. Do not use glass cleaner (or anything with ammonia in it) or products containing abrasives or silicon (as some paste cleaners do). Play it safe by sticking to cleaners and polishes made specifically for guitars.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
Do not expose lacquer finishes for very long to plastics, synthetics and surgical rubber tubing (stop snickering; it\u2019s used on many guitar stands and straps), all of which react adversely with lacquer.<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n