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February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | Would anyone have any advice or tricks of the trade on cleaning up or sprucing up (no pun - I know the wood layer is birch) the top on a textured top adamas? I’m mostly asking because I have seen some tops that look very flat (matte), while others appear to have a “sheen” of sorts to them that makes them glisten and where the sparkles appear more prominent. |
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March 2010
Posts: 370
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | I had exactly the same question when I first 'arrived' here.
The answer I received seemed to be universal, unanimous and 100% on the mark... DUNLOP 65 Guitar Polish. I have used it ever since and it makes a great job on any Adamas top (plus it smells fantastic... bonus!!).
If you want to give your newer Adamas (ones with less distinct carving and lighter walnut on the tree-of-life carving at the top of the headstock...) a 'vintage' glossier look than comes from the factory, try DUNLOP's Carnuba Wax and very carefully apply and buff (repeatedly). This usually takes 5 or 6 applications to seal and polish to the consistency you'll want to see.
I did this recently and the headstock looks almost identical to my vintage Adamas now and makes a world of difference to the appearance.
Hope this helps...
;) |
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February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | Thanks, John. I'll give the Dunlop 65 Polish and Cleaner a try on it. |
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May 2008
Posts: 1566
Location: Indiana | Mostly spit and an old T here, though once a year or so I'll use Armor All.
Last time I mentioned this I found I was pretty much the only person who would ever do such a thing. Problem is, the old gal is kinda hooked now after 28 years. The occasional dribble of peppermint schnapps just isn't enough anymore. She says it helps her sing better... which is what I say about the schnapps, so... she's got me there.
YMMV |
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February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | Oh my goodness Jonmark Stone - I was kinda sorta fishing to see if anyone used Armor All because, while recently rubbing down the carved-rope looking binding with Armor All, I happened to get a touch on the edge of the top....and it looked AWESOME where the Armor All had hit it...all bright and polished, with the sparkles beaming through..... |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | My biggest concern would be the threat of Silicon contamination. Not sure what is in the Armorall or other products. |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | Ah silicone - good point, MWoody. I just checked the Armor All site and it does contain silicone. I also found a detailed review thread for Dunlop 65 polish and cleaner that reported it to contain about 2% silicone, but I think I'll need to contact Dunlop to confirm. All good info and food for thought. I wonder what MS would recommend for a textured top?... |
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February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | here is an interesting passage on silicone on guitars that I found here: http://www.sadowsky.com/accessories/polish.html
A WORD ABOUT SILICONE
If you ask 10 guitar techs about silicone, you will probably get 11 answers. Here is the first and last I have to say on the subject: Silicone in a guitar polish does NOT damage guitar finishes!
Silicone in polishes is only a problem if your need to have your finish touched up or refinished by a professional guitar tech. The silicone prevents the new wet finish from flowing out evenly, creating little craters called “fish eyes”. The only way for a professional finisher to avoid “fish eyes” is to add an agent called “fish eye remover” to the new finish before spraying.
What is “fish eye remover”? It is pure liquid silicone!
In other words, you have to add pure silicone to the new finish to prevent residual silicone from polishes from causing any problems. If you are a repair person or refinisher, you have to assume that any finish you are working on has been contaminated with silicone before you spray your first coat. There is no product that can remove silicone in advance from a contaminated finish. So, you automatically add silicone “fish eye remover” to your touch up or refinish lacquer.
Given the above, the entire discussion about whether or not guitar finishes have silicone is a moot point. It only matters to your repair person and they have to assume there is silicone present.
Sadowsky Restoration products have trace amounts of silicon |
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March 2010
Posts: 370
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | When it comes to guitar maintainance, I think following the doctor's creed of 'do no harm...' is probably a good one to keep in mind.
Silicone is probably only one of several chemical components that might be iffy in Armor-All. Something formulated to be absorbed and then bond to rubber and vinyl products is a long way from a 'hands on' item like a guitar.
Even if it didn't eat it's way into the finish or stain the wood, it would have to feel pretty disgusting on your hands... strings etc.
The very reason most people use Armor-All is the long lasting shine... most derived from being perpetually 'greasy' and never drying... Not a good fit with a guitar surface, I would have thought?
:eek: :eek: :eek: |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | But will it make Moody play faster? |
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May 2008
Posts: 1566
Location: Indiana | Yeah, it has silicone. I use the original formula by the way. (They sell "silicone-free" stuff too.)
And I use it sparingly Avatar. :-)
Personally, and all seriousness aside, I avoid silicone on gloss, nitro, or oil finishes. Cross my heart. But I'm at least one data point on the chart that says no harm's done on a painted composite top, long term. YMMV
It's also a desert topping. |
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October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | I don't apply anything to tho top of my Adamas. A damp rag cleans off the sticky Pop-Tart residue. For wooden parts of my O's & A's I like Dunlop cleaner and Dunlop Carnuba wax, except no wax on the back of the neck. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Dunlop 65 and a microfiber cloth, during string changes only. I may need to try some wax on the cauliflower heads. |
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August 2007
Posts: 1008
Location: Tuscany, Italy | Sorry guys, when you say textured Adamas do you mean this one too ?
I never put any polish on it. Do you think I should :) ?
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | I've never put anything on my OFC slothead or Adamas I 12 string. I do use Howard Feed-N-Wax on the neck fretboard, headstock, and bridge when I change strings. At most, on the top, a damp clothe w/ just some water.
Never even thought to use Armor All or Dunlop 65 on the top. Still not thinking about it....... |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I think of Dunlop 65 more as an all-around guitar cleaner than a polisher. |
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Care and feeding of a textured top adamas?
