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Thread: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

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    Registered User newf playing a mando's Avatar
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    Default What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    What should i use to clean the face of my black top T.C. octave mandolin?

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    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Start with a dry microfiber cloth and if necessary a very soft damp (wet and fully wrung out) cloth with water only. If that doesn't work, listen to what the luthiers who will answer have to say (the first two I have gleaned from them already... not that I knew it to begin with).

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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    T shirt or shirt-tail of what ever you have on is my approach, being casual about it.
    writing about music
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    You did say clean, so here's my two cents on that... I would start with a half dollar size spot of naphtha on clean flannel cloth and rug moderately firm in a circular pattern of the top in small circles. When finished with the naphtha buff with a clean dry cloth and then, depending on what the finish is re; lacquer or varnish, you can use Martin guitar polish to shine the top or if it's varnish, the microfiber cloth should do fine. Good luck... Kenc
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    Registered User jim_n_virginia's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Yup like Ken says naptha is safe to use for really gunky stuff but most of the time just a slightly damp soft cloth of water will do. Then dry with soft buff cloth after that.

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    Still a mandolin fighter Mandophyte's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Does anyone know what naptha is in English English?
    I'm sure they can't be using aircraft fuel!
    John

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    plectrist Ryk Loske's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    John,

    I don't remember what they call it on your side of the pond ... but it's the same liquid used in old fashioned cigarette lighters.

    Ryk
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    Still a mandolin fighter Mandophyte's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Ryk,

    Many thanks. I have some in front of me, we call it lighter fluid, it's a light petroleum distillate.

    Although it says it's non-toxic, I've always thought of petrol (US gas) as a major solvent, and would be very dubious about getting anywhere near my nice new Eastman MD604!
    John

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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    John, It will be fine on your instrument! Kenc
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    plectrist Ryk Loske's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    John,

    The pleasure was all mine. I've spent too little time in your beautiful country and was treated wonderfully by everybody i encountered there. A wee bit of Kind Kilted Karma.

    Ryk
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    Horton River NWT Rob Gerety's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Good thread. I find that my mando develops a white haze where my arm sits on the top of the lower bout. It might be salts from sweat, I'm not sure. It does not come off easily. Do you all think that a little lighter fluid will take care of this?
    Rob G.
    Vermont

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    Registered User newf playing a mando's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    didn't realize that naptha would work, going to try it in an odd spot first.
    thanks everyone

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    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Naptha is the original dry cleaning chemical. Simple, useful and won't hurt your finish. Use it in a well ventilated space, maybe even outdoors.
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    So.... am I hearing this right, just use lighter fluid? Cool.

    I use that Dr. Stringfellows lemon oil... it does a nice job of removing gunk. I don't think it's really lemon oil by the way... maybe it's part naptha?

    Update: Did a little search... WIKIPEDIA says it's coleman stove fuel as well (White gas.... or I guess White Petrol to those on the other side of the pond). = )

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    Registered User 8ch(pl)'s Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Coleman Stove fuel. It evaporates almost instantly. That's what we always called Naptha in Canada. The stuff by Coleman is probably pretty clean and available in a 1 liter (or 1 USQuart) can .

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    Registered User OlderThanWillie's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    When you go to buy it, ask for naphtha not naptha. That's pronounced naftha.
    OTW

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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Just curious about the different names for the fluid so I went looking for the chemistry of it - C8H18 for what it's worth.

    But then there is this paragraph on wikipedia -

    Shellite (Australia), also known as white gas (North America), white spirit (outside the UK) or Coleman fuel, is a water white liquid with a hydrocarbon odour. Shellite has a freeze point less than −30 °C (−22 °F), and a boiling point of 47 °C (117 °F). The composition of shellite is 95% paraffins and naphthenes, less than 5% aromatic hydrocarbons and less than 0.5% benzene. It is highly flammable and due to its low flashpoint is used in many low pressure camping stoves. Shellite is also a fast drying solvent used for cleaning metal, hard plastic and painted surfaces. Ronsonol is a brand name used in North America, and is marketed principally as a refill fluid for cigarette lighters and has a flashpoint of about 6 °C (43 °F).


    That looks to me as if different brands of lighter fluid may contain varying amounts of other hydrocarbons. I think if it was to go on my instrument I'd try a very small test area before doing too much.

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    Registered User OlderThanWillie's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Many people use a less volatile material called mineral spirits. It has worked well for me. In the large box stores it is sometimes sold as paint thinner. If you read the fine print they tell you it is mineral spirits.
    OTW

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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    I have the same problem and a thread started on it today in another category.

    So, what I'm hearing it that some Coleman fuel is the right thing for the 'gunk' buildup on the face on my mando. Really? Sounds dangerous!

    Rich

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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Bill used a piece of broken glass on the face, and a pen knife on the peghead.

    Seriously, mineral spirits would be good once in a great while, but probably over-kill to use it regularly.
    re simmers

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    Registered User Bill Snyder's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Start with a dry microfiber cloth. If that doesn't do it then just lightly dampen it with water. If that does not do it use just a dash of light detergent. Then if that is not cutting the gunk use the naphtha.
    Bill Snyder

  22. #22

    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    I think that I would use a product called "Naphtha" rather than lighter fluid or white gas (Coleman fuel). There could be other finish reactive chemicals or preservatives in other products that are designed for a different purpose than as a cleaner. Naphtha should be available at many hardware stores or paint stores. I think that mineral spirits (paint thinner) would leave residue and definately stink behind and could possibly damage some finishes, it also has a relatively long drying period compared with naphtha. I've used naphtha many times but I still test in a inconspicuous spot before I go ahead. As suggested the dust it first then damp cloth is the way to go. I use Martin polish these days with good results.

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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Barney 59, I completely agree... Kenc
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    Registered User newf playing a mando's Avatar
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    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    Whoa, didn't mean do get everyone's panties in a bunch over this question. I tried the white gas and it worked awesome. thanks everyone.

  25. #25

    Default Re: What should use to clean the face of my mando?

    This is a great thread. I'm looking to clean my 100-year-old bowlback mando. It has decades-old grime on the face. It also has a crack that has been repaired (don't know how professional the repair was---it looks like some kind of glue was applied, probably more than 50 years ago). I tried the damp cloth and microfiber on a small area. Much grime came off, but it left the surface a little dull and very slightly tacky. I would like to remove the grime and perhaps get a nice, shiny, hard finish that will resist body oils (especially where my right arm rubs as I play). However, I am really afraid of perhaps weakening the repaired crack. Will naphtha (lighter fluid) do that?

    PS. My mando teacher told me to use guitar polish. Would this be a safe alternative as a cleaner and/or after cleaning?

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