AG-75 finish: what is a safe cleaner to use?

[Orlie]

Hi!
First posting here.   My Ibanez AG-75 has marks on the back that look like scratches but could be something else.  Gibson guitar polish did not do anything to these marks.  I want to try some kind of cleaner in case the finish is not actually scratched or marred.  Also, could shallow defects in this kind of finish be buffed out as one would buff a car finish? 

I got this guitar last Christmas, and I like it so much I bought another Ibanez, an AK-85DVS, looking for a more jazz-like tone from the bigger body and the rosewood bridge.  Just got the new one Tuesday, and am very happy with it.  It does have a more acoustic sound than the smaller-bodied AG-75.

TIA
Orlando

[daveh]

The urethane finish is practically bullet proof. Automotive polishing compound should work fine.

[jazzzbo]

I think 3M makes a product called FINESSE IT, its used on boats and cars, for fine polishing etc, make sure you research your products , sandpapers , cloths etc so you dont create more scratches, good luck, jazzzzz

[KD]

I swear by Finesse It II. I use it on poly, lacquer, pickguards or cleaning up chrome parts. Use it very carefully on gold plated, especially the cheap stuff. I rub it in until it dries and buff it by hand.

[Ibaneezer_Scrooge]

I would use the universal guitar cleaner...safe for all hard finishes such as nitro and Poly.

It is dirt cheap and will clean and degrease a guitar in seconds...and get rid of all that built up grime.

It is lighter fluid...also known as naptha.

It is the luthier's "secret" for cleaning a guitar.

Pick it up at any grocery store...put some on an old 100% cotton t-shirt...and wipe of those marks.

Then use the prior posters suggestions are polishing out imperfections.

Good luck.

[backer60]

Make sure the old cotton tee shirt is white....naptha sometimes causes colour to run. Using a coloured shirt may create a new,less than desired effect! 

[Roland_G303]

If lighter fluid doesn't work you could always do what Hendrix did.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/_Wt12fRoCOY&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/_Wt12fRoCOY&rel=1</a>



Patrick

[Ibaneezer_Scrooge]

<<< Make sure the old cotton tee shirt is white >>>

Good point

[Orlie]

Thanks, everyone, for all the helpful info and advice.  I feel educated now. 

Orlando