Ernie Ball cleaning kit?

Do you use this, or similar, to clean your guitar? I want to keep my guitar in the best condition possible but I don't want to accidentally introduce damaging chemicals. Thanks.

I haven't tried that. I've always used this, as it was recommended by those I respect the most.


It can be bought from many places.

I've had good experience with this line of products. Polish, cleaning, fret polishing pads, etc.

They have a VIP polish that's safe for Nitro.


I haven't bought directly through them, either Sweetwater or other Reps which may have better pricing

A couple of good suggestions above, and I'd add Gibson pump polish as another.

But if you want a left-field recommendation, this is hands-down the best polish for guitar bodies I've ever used.


It's used and recommended by the British Museum, no less. Used by them on wood exhibits worth millions. Guaranteed nitro safe. I'll warn you straight away it's not cheap, but a 200ml tub will see you out comfortably.

By luck I gave mine a once-over with it earlier today. Turned out pretty well I think.

Thanks all, I'll look those up.

I'm sure it's fine. EB is pretty solid. They don't really do fly-by-night garage shit.
Fun fact, the EB factory is like 15 minutes from me.

Ball cleaning kit? Nah, I just use the hand sprayer.

Southwest said:

A couple of good suggestions above, and I'd add Gibson pump polish as another.

But if you want a left-field recommendation, this is hands-down the best polish for guitar bodies I've ever used.
View attachment 860033

It's used and recommended by the British Museum, no less. Used by them on wood exhibits worth millions. Guaranteed nitro safe. I'll warn you straight away it's not cheap, but a 200ml tub will see you out comfortably.

By luck I gave mine a once-over with it earlier today. Turned out pretty well I think.

View attachment 860031

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Does it resist fingerprints?

VictorB said:

Does it resist fingerprints?

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Didn't want to mislead by saying yes offhand, so I've just tried it.

Full five spread fingers in the middle of the top, with dry clean hands. There was an impression of the prints when I looked at an angle, straight after I took my fingers away. But by the time I'd grabbed the phone to take a pic, they'd gone. Same with a five finger drag across the top. And it leaves the surface so glassy smooth there's no real way for anything to adhere to it, meaning a quick wipe across with a clean cloth takes it back to immaculate, however bad it was to start.

I'm not into product endorsements, but I really can't speak highly enough about this one.

I just ordered some buffing pads for the drill.
I’m sick of working too hard when those lazy, good for nuthin cordless tools are just lounging around like wharf rats after a fresh dumpster dive.
Edison invents a goddam light bulb and I’m still cleaning guitars by hand, yelling “yabba dabba doo” or some shit?
Fuck that.

Southwest said:

A couple of good suggestions above, and I'd add Gibson pump polish as another.

But if you want a left-field recommendation, this is hands-down the best polish for guitar bodies I've ever used.
View attachment 860033

It's used and recommended by the British Museum, no less. Used by them on wood exhibits worth millions. Guaranteed nitro safe. I'll warn you straight away it's not cheap, but a 200ml tub will see you out comfortably.

By luck I gave mine a once-over with it earlier today. Turned out pretty well I think.

View attachment 860031

Click to expand...

man, my R0 could really use some of that. Is it good for getting the VOS dullness off?

Southwest said:

A couple of good suggestions above, and I'd add Gibson pump polish as another.

But if you want a left-field recommendation, this is hands-down the best polish for guitar bodies I've ever used.
View attachment 860033

It's used and recommended by the British Museum, no less. Used by them on wood exhibits worth millions. Guaranteed nitro safe. I'll warn you straight away it's not cheap, but a 200ml tub will see you out comfortably.

By luck I gave mine a once-over with it earlier today. Turned out pretty well I think.

View attachment 860031

Click to expand...

I looked this up. There's a smaller 65ml size for under 20 dollars which is probably a lifetime supply unless you have more than 2 dozen guitars and eat Cheetos non-stop.

DeafDumbBlind Kid said:

man, my R0 could really use some of that. Is it good for getting the VOS dullness off?

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I've never tried it on a VOS finish, but I'd guess no. It enhances what you've got rather than changing it. There's no abrasives in it so it won't act the same way as say Scratch-X or similar. The Studio I showed above is full gloss, as are the SG and PRS I use it on.

Yes a 65ml will outlast you and me combined - my only problem with it is it's a narrower top to the tub. You might need to decant it into a different container to be able to do the gentle swipe across the top with your application cloth. You don't want or need to be digging into it. An almost invisible smear is the desired application.

Southwest said:

I've never tried it on a VOS finish, but I'd guess no. It enhances what you've got rather than changing it. There's no abrasives in it so it won't act the same way as say Scratch-X or similar. The Studio I showed above is full gloss, as are the SG and PRS I use it on.

Yes a 65ml will outlast you and me combined - my only problem with it is it's a narrower top to the tub. You might need to decant it into a different container to be able to do the gentle swipe across the top with your application cloth. You don't want or need to be digging into it. An almost invisible smear is the desired application.

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sounds like they should have put it in a shoe shine polish tin instead of a jar that is taller than it is wide

Pro tip:

Rub the guitar down with naphtha (lighter fluid) and a soft cloth first before applying waxes and polish.

O you'll be pushing around the same old funky goo and crud and scratchy dirt with the new wax.

And nothing cleans off finger funk from a from a fret board as effectively as naphtha.

Then treat your fret board with the new super-stuff.

pnuggett said:

Ball cleaning kit? Nah, I just use the hand sprayer.

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You aren't using the loofah SteveC sent you for Xmas?