I hate to RANT but. . . .

[ADR]

My San Dimas paint seems very easy to scratch. At first I used my yellow (but didnt wipe it off when I got done so my paw prints were really stuck on there) polishing cloth along with Gibson guitar polish, but that just seems to smear and take way to long to get completely off,So today I used a 3M red cloth that removes finger prints etc (which ive also used on my Strats will excellent results, well guess what? I made not only swirl marks but some fine scratches (WTF)????
I love the paint and super gloss but im afraid to play it,it shows every little scratch from picking and fingerprints. The only trouble with spray type polish is that it gets in the bridge and the small places and leaves small dots,if not wiped off and it dries.
My Strats are real easy to clean,never show scratches (I know that dark shows everything. . I own a Buick Grand National) but the San Dimas seems to be very delicate. The yellow clothes by themselves will not remove the oils from my hand/forearm???
I need some tips/suggestions if you will. I get so frustrated that I dont want to play it,thinking im ruining the value and scratching it all up.

[ADR]

So 26 views from lurkers and 0 replies, thanx alot for the support. Ill check back, be on my FDP (Fender forum) where they are so willing to help????
WTF!

[fullmetalguitar]

Sorry bro, I don't know what to tell you. Not everyone here is a guitar polishing expert. Relax and eventually someone will come along with some advice.

[toejam]

So today I used a 3M red cloth that removes finger prints etc (which ive also used on my Strats will excellent results, well guess what? I made not only swirl marks but some fine scratches (WTF)????

Get a better cloth then (like microfiber). Or lightly dampen the cloth and blot the guitar to get the dust off of it first. If there's dust on the guitar and you polish it, the dust will leave fine scratches. It's just the way it is.
Now shut up and play your guitar and just be happy!

[guitarsjb]

I DON'T KNOW.

There, now you wasted your time reading a worthless post from one of the "viewers". Ha! Now that takes me out of the "unwilling to help camp" doesn't it?

I've never had my chops busted before for NOT answering..geez. If everyone on the Fender forum was so helpful, why the hell did you ask us anyway??

[ADR]

Sorry

Sorry,just venting. The red 3M cloth is a micro-fiber????, thats why im confused. The Fender guys dont like me as much, since I traded in a Strat for my Charvel. Didnt mean to dis anyone.Ive been playing since I been 13ish and stumped.
My one CS is Nitro and my YJM is urethane, the one I traded in was polyester. . isnt my Charvel polyester?
Thanx for the replies, just kinda bummed out thats all.

One again SORRY everyone

[toejam]

the red 3M cloth is a micro-fiber, thats why im confused.

Damn. No clue then.

[GWARGHOUL]

Quit polishing, and play.

[Predator1]

FYI -Gibson guitar polish contains trace amounts of laquer. This is what is smearing and taking forever to dry. It should only be used on gibson guitars.I know the bottle say's it is good for all finishes but trust me it works like crap on poly finishes. I use a dunlop micro fibre cloth and the dunlop #65 spray polish followed by the #65 Carnuba wax. I also lay a cloth over the hardware before I spray the polish to absorb any over spray. The Gibson polish is best left for Gibson Guitars and is all I use on mine. ie: a little goes a long way!

[guitarsjb]

Ok, sorry too. I really have no clue. Have you considered a car wax to build a base?? Maybe a swirl/scratch remover?
Just guessin is all. Good luck.

[GuitarWizard]

My advice F_ _ k cleaning , spend your time playing. Nothing stays new forever ,your stressing the inevitable. One tip if you don't do this already is to spray the cleaner or polish on the cloth instead of the body that way it dosent get into the bridge pickups etc and leave any residue you cant get at.

[Flametop]

Toejam is right when he mentioned the fact that dust can sometimes contribute to swirl marks and such. I'm sure you know better, but I have to mention that a cloth of any kind used to wipe/clean the body of a guitar should be used for only that. Once you use it on strings or hardware, it should never touch the body again. It will have picked up micro pieces of metal that will scratch the surface. I also found that a lot of polishes made for guitars are so-so if not down right sucky. I use high grade auto finish polish/wax on my guitars with good results. Many of the forum members here do the same. Maybe they will chime in with their favorites. There are also polishes that are made to remove swirl marks.

[ADR]

Nice

Damn, thank you everyone.Maybe im just anal about it, but its soo shinny. . fingerprints stick out like a sore thumb.
Predator1: Very good point. . Ill stop using it.I have like 10 million car products for my paint on my cars. . so Ill try them.Maybe it needs a good quality Carnuba base to help clean better.
I hope I didnt piss off anyone off,but I paid a good amount $$ for my new and Fav axe,just want to enjoy it and maybe I should stop worrying so much.AND PLAY THE THING!
I appreciate the feedback,means alot even if I didnt mention you.
~Andy

ps: Here is my WRX STi paint. . I like shinny paint.

[Bengal65]

The Fender Care Kit has some good McGuire's (sp?) stuff in it, polishing compound (very light), swirl remover and spray stuff for touch up. Also, you can use 3M Finesse-it (super fine).with a microfiber cloth. I buy the cheap ones in Walmart or automotive parts stores in bulk.

If the above doesn't get it go with StewMac fine compound. It is amazing stuff, but needs to be thinned with mineral spirits. It's OK to use a new can without the mineral spirits at first, but it will dry out in time.

I can't understand your finish scratching problem. The Charvel's are finished automotive grade Polyurethane.

Also don't be too quick to judge on the views on your topic. There are many many members on this forum. I know you were getting uptight, but be patient.

[guitarsjb]

Ok...but now where is the pic of the guitar?? You had to know that was coming LOL