• From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2008-10-27
  • Posts: 577

Topic: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

Hey everyone,

I am looking to clean and polish my 58RI LP.  It has the VOS finish.  I used it 99% of the time with my band so there seems to be building up a film of sweat and grime.  Also, I'd like to clean off the VOS stuff and polish it it up to a nice shine.

Having said that, what would my fellow guitar players on here suggest I use on this beautiful instrument?  I have heard that Virtuoso Premium Cleaner and Polisher works great but I am open to all suggestions...

Thanks,
Barry

2009 Gibson Les Paul 1958 VOS (with black plastic)
2008 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Goldtop (with the cream plastic from the 58RI)
> Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 pedal >Boss sd-1> DD3 > Vox Ac15cc1

2 Reply by HellRot (edited by HellRot 2010-11-01 10:10:32)

  • From: Vienna
  • Registered: 2010-01-16
  • Posts: 408

Re: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

LesPaul4 wrote:

Hey everyone,

I am looking to clean and polish my 58RI LP.  It has the VOS finish.  I used it 99% of the time with my band so there seems to be building up a film of sweat and grime.  Also, I'd like to clean off the VOS stuff and polish it it up to a nice shine.

Having said that, what would my fellow guitar players on here suggest I use on this beautiful instrument?  I have heard that Virtuoso Premium Cleaner and Polisher works great but I am open to all suggestions...

Thanks,
Barry

That's the best thing you can find.  cool


Also, try this thread:

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/histori … shing.html

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

Never heard of it. I might give it a try!

In the early 90's I was given an aerosol can of Fender Guitar Polish. It had the BEST aroma ever... it smelled like vintage 'clean' guitar - I just can't explain it, but the clean guitar in the case just smelled amazing when you opened the case. I'd kill to find that again. You'd spray it on, and there would be a white-ish film to wipe off... no real hard buffing was necessary.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

I've still got some!!! I have a spray bottle from Martin Guitars too - it's the same stuff - I think it's still available...

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Never heard of it. I might give it a try!

In the early 90's I was given an aerosol can of Fender Guitar Polish. It had the BEST aroma ever... it smelled like vintage 'clean' guitar - I just can't explain it, but the clean guitar in the case just smelled amazing when you opened the case. I'd kill to find that again. You'd spray it on, and there would be a white-ish film to wipe off... no real hard buffing was necessary.

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

Is there anything wrong with the Gibson polish?

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

I have been using 3M Fill in glaze for many years...the same stuff you can put on a car.
They used to make it in a large plastic bottle-32 oz...This  could be purchased years ago at a Auto parts store that sold paint products(Napa etc).....I have also used Mequirs' polish as well with great results..(they also make a great plastic polish to get rid of your scratches on the pickguard and other plastic parts)...I hardly use the  tiny bottles of the pump action sprays anymore unless the Guitar is pretty clean already....
Hope this helps you out...:)

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

+1 for Virtuoso Polish, but I really just prefer to occasionally wipe them down with a soft cloth. I want my guitars to age with me.

  • Registered: 2010-07-09
  • Posts: 122

Re: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Never heard of it. I might give it a try!

In the early 90's I was given an aerosol can of Fender Guitar Polish. It had the BEST aroma ever... it smelled like vintage 'clean' guitar - I just can't explain it, but the clean guitar in the case just smelled amazing when you opened the case. I'd kill to find that again. You'd spray it on, and there would be a white-ish film to wipe off... no real hard buffing was necessary.

Yep.  I have some, too.  Great smelling stuff, and it did a nice job.

Guitars: '79 LP Custom, '01 Dickey Betts Goldie - 80 of 114, '00 Chandler Lectraslide
Amps: '00 Marshall 1987x, '70 Marshall 1959 SL, 4x12 JBL D120s
'64 Vibroverb - JBL D130, '66 Super Reverb - CTS Alnicos
'77 Peavey Deuce (great for melting stubborn ear wax)
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

Please contact me with how and where to get some... it's been too long!  cool

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • macg1
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: Cleaning and Ploshing my Les Paul

My singer just got this for his 1976 Custom: http://www.virtuosopolish.com/

He has had it since 1987 and never really had a proper cleaning and polish;  also it got a pretty good bath when hurricane Ike flooded our studio.  I swear on the baby jesus that it is one of the pretties, blackest, shiniest, and nice feeling guitar to play!  It lifted years of sweat, grime, cigarette smoke, and the sleaze from girls with questionable morals!

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint