Hi. I just got a new Collings 290, crimson. In the specs it states is has a "high gloss lacquer finish." Is this a nitrocellular lacquer finish?

Is any kind of commercially available cleaner or polish ok to use, like Gibson or Martin polish? Or, do I need something special like Virtuoso?

Keith, congratulations on your new 290, I have a CL in Crimson as well.

I don't know about the finish but I use Vituoso Cleaner and Polish on the guitar and they work great! I believe other polish like Martin Polish should work fine as well. But the key is, less is always best!

It is a nitro lacquer finish. Virtuoso is great. You can also use the Gibson luthier's choice products without any problem.

Thanks for the help and replies. Will Virtuoso be okay to use on my poly guitars too?

Yes -- as a general rule if it is safe for nitro then it is definitely safe for poly. Unfortunately, the reverse is not true. You need to pay particular attention to what you use on nitro. Virtuoso is fine. But, as an example, don't ever put your nitro finished guitars on a cheap stand with those black sponges on them. They will eat away at the finish. You need to find nitro-safe products or put cotton in between the finish and the sponge.

For Collings Acoustic, the use Poly but with a final layer of Nitro for that deap shine. So, I think we have to take care of them like Nitro finish.

I just use a clean, dry cloth (an old bandana that I keep in the case).