GuitarGuy503
New member
How do you disinfect a guitar? Is there a safe way?
How do you disinfect a guitar?
- Thread starter GuitarGuy503
- Start date
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
Oh no, did you take it to NAMM?
Oh no, did you take it to NAMM?
GuitarGuy503
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
No. I didn't attend NAMM.
No. I didn't attend NAMM.
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Boogie Bill
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
I typically use a soft damp cloth on a guitar, and buff it dry. I use tap water, but in areas with hard water I'd suggest distilled water. Water will remove 99% of contaminants.
That works for a dirty guitar with sweat and grime, but I honestly don't know what I would use to actually disinfect a guitar...say, one with fecal matter on it. A poly finish is pretty durable and could probably handle one of the kitchen or bathroom cleaners...but a nitro (NCL) finish is much more fragile. I accidentally got Spray 'n Wash on a guitar and it started pitting the finish in seconds.
Naptha is safe for most finishes, but I don't think it would actually disinfect...unless you're setting it on fire! (Don't do that!)
I'd be wary about using alcohol, but others probably have more experience than I.
P.S. I see you're in PDX. Check with Kerry at Char Lutheries, or Todd at Portland Fret Works. They'll know.
Good luck.
Bill
I typically use a soft damp cloth on a guitar, and buff it dry. I use tap water, but in areas with hard water I'd suggest distilled water. Water will remove 99% of contaminants.
That works for a dirty guitar with sweat and grime, but I honestly don't know what I would use to actually disinfect a guitar...say, one with fecal matter on it. A poly finish is pretty durable and could probably handle one of the kitchen or bathroom cleaners...but a nitro (NCL) finish is much more fragile. I accidentally got Spray 'n Wash on a guitar and it started pitting the finish in seconds.
Naptha is safe for most finishes, but I don't think it would actually disinfect...unless you're setting it on fire! (Don't do that!)
I'd be wary about using alcohol, but others probably have more experience than I.
P.S. I see you're in PDX. Check with Kerry at Char Lutheries, or Todd at Portland Fret Works. They'll know.
Good luck.
Bill
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Ayrton
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
Naphtha is safer on any kind of lacquer finish. I have seen even isopropyl cloud a Gibson finish. Thankfully you can buff it back out, but better safe than sorry.
Naphtha is safer on any kind of lacquer finish. I have seen even isopropyl cloud a Gibson finish. Thankfully you can buff it back out, but better safe than sorry.
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
Gibson... lol... How is it that Gibson always manages to screw up things any other manufacturer gets right???
Gibson... lol... How is it that Gibson always manages to screw up things any other manufacturer gets right???
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
Assuming you mean actual disinfection and not merely cleaning, you can use an ozone generator. Ozone kills bacteria as well as odors.
An industrial size unit isn't necessary; there are home units available for around $100.
You'll need to seal it in a closet for awhile since high levels of ozone are toxic.
Handy for stinky cases, too.
Assuming you mean actual disinfection and not merely cleaning, you can use an ozone generator. Ozone kills bacteria as well as odors.
An industrial size unit isn't necessary; there are home units available for around $100.
You'll need to seal it in a closet for awhile since high levels of ozone are toxic.
Handy for stinky cases, too.
Ayrton
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
It is Gibson
Sunlight will kill most anything is the goal is germ killing.
It is Gibson
Sunlight will kill most anything is the goal is germ killing.
Jacew
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
I know some people can be a bit OCD about their prized stuff, but isn't that taking it a bit too far...:question:
I know some people can be a bit OCD about their prized stuff, but isn't that taking it a bit too far...:question:
NegativeEase
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
Did you bring your guitar into a household that owns a PRS?
If yes, then Naptha is the answer to get rid of the stench.
before you PRS heads lose your sh*t -i picked a brand for the statement at random.
Did you bring your guitar into a household that owns a PRS?
If yes, then Naptha is the answer to get rid of the stench.
before you PRS heads lose your sh*t -i picked a brand for the statement at random.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
It's easy to clean a guitar that's getting a little stinky with some water and a rag . . . or in extreme cases with a little bit of isopropyl alcohol.
DO NOT PUT YOUR STINKY GUITAR BACK INTO THE CASE WITHOUT CLEANING IT THOUGH. Cases are ****ing impossible to get the smell out of.
It's easy to clean a guitar that's getting a little stinky with some water and a rag . . . or in extreme cases with a little bit of isopropyl alcohol.
DO NOT PUT YOUR STINKY GUITAR BACK INTO THE CASE WITHOUT CLEANING IT THOUGH. Cases are ****ing impossible to get the smell out of.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
I don't think so. In some parts of the US, the water is so hard, you'd be leaving more contaminants than you tried to wipe off. Again, probably not a problem for poly, but if you are trying to keep a NCL finish new-looking and scratch free...I would use distilled water.
A gallon would last a LONG time...$0.99 at my local grocery.
Bill
I don't think so. In some parts of the US, the water is so hard, you'd be leaving more contaminants than you tried to wipe off. Again, probably not a problem for poly, but if you are trying to keep a NCL finish new-looking and scratch free...I would use distilled water.
A gallon would last a LONG time...$0.99 at my local grocery.
Bill
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
Really? You'd put chlorine bleach on your Les Paul?
Really?
Bill
Really? You'd put chlorine bleach on your Les Paul?
Really?
Bill
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
This thread reminded me of an episode years ago...a friend left his (new 335) case open for a bit, and apparently his cat was a music critic and peed in his guitar case. When the cat finished it jumped out and jarred the lid closed. A couple of days later, the guy goes to put his guitar back...and this case just reeked! Soggy! He had to throw it out and get a new case...and there were no aftermarket cases back then like SKB or Gator, so it took a couple of weeks to get one. He was not happy. The cat did survive, but probably used up all nine lives and more in the following weeks!
Lesson learned...I keep my cases CLOSED!
Bill
This thread reminded me of an episode years ago...a friend left his (new 335) case open for a bit, and apparently his cat was a music critic and peed in his guitar case. When the cat finished it jumped out and jarred the lid closed. A couple of days later, the guy goes to put his guitar back...and this case just reeked! Soggy! He had to throw it out and get a new case...and there were no aftermarket cases back then like SKB or Gator, so it took a couple of weeks to get one. He was not happy. The cat did survive, but probably used up all nine lives and more in the following weeks!
Lesson learned...I keep my cases CLOSED!
Bill
GuitarGuy503
New member
GuitarGuy503
New member
Re: How do you disinfect a guitar?
I agree that isn't a good idea. Some people just don't know any better and assume regular cleaning products will work just fine. They don't have the sense to ask questions and research and rather they just assume and do.
I agree that isn't a good idea. Some people just don't know any better and assume regular cleaning products will work just fine. They don't have the sense to ask questions and research and rather they just assume and do.
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