why my beloved jacksons are caked in scratches

[wilkinsi]

I thought playing scratches were the quickest form of cosmetic damage, until I cleaned my brand new Kelly with a so-called guitar cloth that I've used for years. It's one of those "3M" blue cloths (cotton?) I bought from my local guitar shop. (You buy a cloth from a guitar shop, you assume it's suitable). What kind of cloth do you lot use? Or could it be I'm wiping the guitar too hard?

[kelly user]

gibson vintage kit, their cloth has the thickness of a foam but is soft like a baby's right butt cheek

[emperor_black]

I use any sort of "micro-fiber" cloths. I read on ed roman's website, his little story about how brand new so called "polishing cloths" were placing scratches on the new guitars on the floor and how changing to micro-fiber solved that problem. since then, I've used only micro-fiber cloths. no need of any polish either. After every play, I just wipe my guitars down with the cloth and they are as good as new with shine.

[Bengal65]

I use any sort of "micro-fiber" cloths. I read on ed roman's website, his little story about how brand new so called "polishing cloths" were placing scratches on the new guitars on the floor and how changing to micro-fiber solved that problem. since then, I've used only micro-fiber cloths. no need of any polish either. After every play, I just wipe my guitars down with the cloth and they are as good as new with shine.

+1 I also use a little shot of the Fender Meguires Mist stuff for cleanup. I get the cloths at the auto parts store since I practically live in those places

[Robert Burns]

+1 I also use a little shot of the Fender Meguires Mist stuff for cleanup. I get the cloths at the auto parts store since I practically live in those places

************************************
Ive used that Fender micro mist...from day one on my HRF, and i still
have micro swirly scratches! That mist isnt doing anything for me?

[DrDoug]

gibson vintage kit, their cloth has the thickness of a foam but is soft like a baby's right butt cheek

As opposed to the baby's left butt cheek, which is like alligator skin...

I use 3M micro-polishing compound once in a while, and a bit of elbow action. It does a great job of cleaning up any fine scratches. I got my RR3 used, and it had some swirling in the black when I got it. After I use the 3M, I use Turtle Wax and buff it with clean, soft cotton. I have an old lady that generates tons of rags, and she leaves bags of them outside my garage all of the time (from where she gets them all, I have no idea. She lives alone...).

The micro-fiber cloths work well between waxing, and I have tons of those as I use them on my motorcycle and car. So I set ten aside just for my guitars. Whatever you do, do not use a rag that has been used for cleaning any grimy surface, even if you wash it. It will still have bits of hard material dispersed thoughout the cloth, and you will scratch up your finish.

Just what I do, and it seems to work fine for me anyway!

[thetroy]

I use any sort of "micro-fiber" cloths. I read on ed roman's website, his little story about how brand new so called "polishing cloths" were placing scratches on the new guitars on the floor and how changing to micro-fiber solved that problem. since then, I've used only micro-fiber cloths. no need of any polish either. After every play, I just wipe my guitars down with the cloth and they are as good as new with shine.

This might have come from Ed Roman but it is actually quite true

[wilkinsi]

Thanks for that. I'll go find some.

[daisp]

I agree, mine work fine too..

[demeyes]

I just use a micro fibre cloth. They sell them everywhere and they seem to do a good job. I used to use a polish every now and then but I lost the bottle and haven't gotten more yet.

[UFORocks]

Cloth baby diapers... brand new one of course. Believe it or not they still sell them. Lint free and non-abrasive.

[z1n]

I use the micro cloths. Just remember that whatever you use, don't use it forever. It WILL scratch the surface if used too long.

[Special-K]

Micro-fiber!

[hippietim]

i just buy a few yards of plain flannel cloth at the fabric store and cut a piece off as i need it. you get years of polishing cloths for about 6 bucks this way.

[Superfly]

Would a tartan flannel work as well?