I preface this by saying that I use no chemicals ever on my Collings. Demineralized H2o clean and dry as necessary, and wipedown after ever playing session. I go to great lengths to make sure no chemicals are ever on my Guitars, and my Collings always look brand new! No chemicals necessary!!!!!

I took my D1A Varnish to a Collings Dealer-recommended Luthier, to get my new Colosi saddles fit, check set-up, etc. This is the first time I have been to them, and they were very conscientious about everything, even called me before they began work and reviewed any existing scratches and marks. I thought everything was set.

I woke up this morning in somewhat of a panic, as I remembered I had forgot to tell them...no chemicals on my guitars. They opened at 10:30, and I called at 10:29, and told them to use no chemicals, hung up the phone and relaxed, thinking all was fine.

Then the phone rang....Guitar was ready....BUT, THEY HAD WIPED IT DOWN WITH "MARTIN GUITAR POLISH"! Now I have learned from the UMGF and here, that "Martin Guitar Polish" is absolutely the worst stuff you could use on a Guitar!

HOW DO I GET IT OFF OF MY VARNISH GUITAR?

WILL IT WEAR OFF?

ANY LONG TERM BAD EFFECTS OF HAVING THIS ON MY GUITAR?

HOW CONCERNED DO I NEED TO BE ABOUT THIS?

Any and all information is highly appreciated, and needed.

Michael

PS...They did a Great Job on my Guitar, and we have an understanding about no chemicals on my Guitars in the Future.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dadthrash,

Michael, I would call Collings ASAP and get their advise on what to do. Who better than they to know what to do?

Thanks Ernie,
Will Do, first thing Monday AM...MRT

Is there any polish that is both safe and effective? If Martin guitar polish is the worst thing you can put on a guitar (worse than hydrochloric acid?), then what's the best? When I come home at one in the morning, crispy from playing, should I have a spritzer bottle of distilled water to spray on my sweaty CJA and then wipe it off? Is that the best? Enlighten me, please. I've heard advocacy for Novus II and (I think) Virtuoso, or some such name. So, what's the frequency, Kenneth? thanks tom

The best that I've discovered (and it comes with the unofficial blessings of Collings) is Stew-Mac's Preservation polish. No silicone, no wax, no problem.

The worst,contrary to the previous poster,I suppose would be aqua regia wiped down with some nice 3M 120 grit emory cloth (belt sander optional for varnish).

sonoman,
I know absolutely nothing about Guitar finishes. Only what I have read and learned from this and the UMGF......what is the best...I dunno.....not even sure if what happened is even a problem.....I just want to make sure.

Seems most advice is just wipe it down after playing.....hey, my D1A Varn is not a Prima-Donna.....but I want to take the best care of it I can. If it gets playwear..hey, That is great!!

MRT

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dadthrash,

Thanks cc (collingscowboy),
I will look into that....MRT

Stew-mac, the folks that make guitar parts (frets and all)? Where you buy it? direct? With a name like Preservation, I'd be tempted to use it as after shave. thanks tom

I go simple. Distilled water on a clean cloth if there's significant sweat build up (which isn't often). Just the clean cloth if not (which is most of the time). I do cleanup EVERY time I put the guitar back in the case. Seems to do the trick without the need for any polish. Simple, yet surprisingly effective.

Well, I'll try. Re sweat build up, it's not normally a problem, but three hours at 90 degrees and even a person of my moral purity exudes liquid by-products. After fairly vigorous polishing with said soft cloth, there's still some clouding. Film at eleven. It's not an issue of international importance, but I do try to keep the instruments as pristine as I can, play wear notwithstanding. A pick mark or a mic stand ding don't make me hyperventilate. Back atcha. tom

I am getting lost here guys.....Here is what I wanted to know:

HOW DO I GET IT OFF OF MY VARNISH GUITAR?

WILL IT WEAR OFF?

ANY LONG TERM BAD EFFECTS OF HAVING THIS ON MY GUITAR?

HOW CONCERNED DO I NEED TO BE ABOUT THIS?

Any and all information is highly appreciated, and needed.

Michael

fwiw: when I owned a varnish, I do believe I committed the sacrilege of using a bottled polish. The brand I do not recall; I doubt it was Martin, but it was a commonly available, mid grade spray polish (no, not Pledge, for cripe's sake). I wiped it off. The guitar never showed any signs of deterioration. In fact, it looked perfect when I (sob) sold it to fund the guitar to be named later. I would email Alex at Austin and see what they say, but I wouldn't, personally, ruin my weekend by imagining varnish runoff. Wipe the snot out of it. Use some distilled water, as recommended above. Wipe the heck out of it again. then play it. maybe leave it out on a stand in a safe place over night and let it air out. That's all I've got. Maybe more. Rest easy. there are lots of huge problems in the world. I need not enumerate them. best tom