Cleaning suggestions...Guitar neck

[Bonhomme Richard]

I am wondering if anyone has a suggestion to clean my guitar neck. It seems that the rubber supports on my guitar stand are deteriorating and left a build-up of residue on the neck of my Les Paul. It is a gummy substance and regular guitar polish doesn't remove it. Any suggestions what to use that will not affect the finish on the neck?
Thanks

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Use Methyl Alcohol

Methanol will take most of that off pretty easily, and because it's a polar solvent will be VERY slow acting on the neck's finish. Something like acetone will get the goo off better, but will be much more aggressive on the varnish, lacquer or paint on the neck.

Another alternative is to use finger nail polish remover with NO acetone. Usually those have ethyl acetate which will remove elastic and enamel materials but shouldn't aggressively attack the finish.

You can probably get it at the hardware store as wood alcohol.
The Professor

[Bonhomme Richard]

2. Thanks

[MilesColtrane]

3. Use naptha (lighter fluid) and a soft cotton cloth.

Make sure the cloth is more dry then wet, a little bit goes a long way.

After you get the gunk off, go back over the clean finish with a bit of guitar polish.

[old mark]

4. I have used Windex.

I have had people scream in horror, but had nothing but good results with it.

mark

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Why Did Anyone Scream In Horror?

Geez, Windex is 96% water! Windex is great to use on guitars. No build-up, no film, no unnecessary waxes! I use it too. I don't know why anyone would think it's a bad idea.

I don't know, however, if a glass cleaner has enough solvent in it (they all have some) to take off the goop on the OP's neck. But, for everything else, i'd recommend Windex too.
GAC

[old mark]

6. I don't know, either....

but I have had a "knowledgable" used guitar shop owner tell me I was doing terrible things to my guitars. He would not tell me why, though.....

mark

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Good Thing You Used "Knowledgeable" In Quotes!

I'd find a new knowledgeable dealer! LOL!
GAC

[here_is_to_hope]

8. Some 'rubber' parts of guitar stands interact

with certain guitar finishes. I think its surgical tubing that was the worse?

I restore pre-1934 guitars and mandolins, I use tepid soapy water on guitars with all of the finish intact, everything else gets distilled or de-ionized soapy water so as not to trap dirt in any open area's.