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I let somebody play my prized Les Paul last weekend. I love that thing cause it just has lacquer on it, no gloss. I also love it cause my skin oils seep into the finish and it gives it a great feel. Problem, now some one else's nasty skin oil is on my guitar and it's thick, and gross, the kid didn't play it for more than thirty min!. Anyone know of a good way to wipe this off? I got a rag damp with hot water and got most of the thick stuff off, but there is still some residue... Thanks fellas.

Bummer!

Any removal method poses some risk, so the decision is yours. A cloth with some denatured alcohol might remove the goo, but you'll have to "re-season" it with your own oil afterwards. Also, some 000 steel wool might do the trick. Is your neck down to bare wood or have you just dulled the nitro finish?

Dave

OldSchoolDave wrote:A cloth with some denatured alcohol might remove the goo

Alcohol will damage the lacquer, if it is in fact nitrocellulose!

A clean, damp rag with perhaps a wee bit of Murphy's oil soap (or similar) should clean it up without damaging what's left of the finish.

So I used a damp rag soaked in a warm diluted solution of water and Murphy's oil soap. Worked like a charm. It took off all the nastiness and left the finish untouched. I am happy again now. Thanks guys!

Damn, what kind of nasty beast played your guitar?

I don't know, it appeared to be an average human being, but apparently I was mistaken!