Do You Polish Your Uke?

Lori · Dec 29, 2009

How many of you use some kind of polish on your ukulele? Do ukuleles need polish, or is it enough to wipe it down with a soft cloth every so often? Which polishes are safe, and which are harmful to the various types of finishes? Is it OK to use waxes, or oils? I have both glossy and matte ukes. Should they be polished differently? If I want to add a bit more shine to a matte finish, is there anything I can use?

I know this is a lot of questions, but I would really like to know.

–Lori

Howie1947 · Dec 29, 2009

I use some martin guitar polish and a guitar cloth on my ukes, works fine.

bazmaz · Dec 29, 2009

i've owned guitars for the last 25 years, and ukes for last 2. Have never used polish on any of em - dry soft cloth. It anything stubborn gets on there (from a gig, ie beer) - damp cloth, then dry soft cloth.

Only fluid I apply sparingly is a bit of lemon oil or fret doctor once in a while to dry looking rosewood fingerboards

Brad Bordessa · Dec 29, 2009

I just polished my Kamaka with a cloth for the first time in like 6 months. And even then I only did the tuners so they won't go green in the island salt air, dusted under the strings, and did the fret board. I like the way my 'ukulele feels when it's not shiny clean, I find it much easier to play when your fingers will slide around the sound board instead of going "SCCRREEEEEEE!". I used to be freaked out about keeping it clean, but now I've realized that it's an instrument - they call it that for a reason, and it will be used. That said, no I haven't ever used any waxes or oils - I think a clean cloth is plenty.

experimentjon · Dec 30, 2009

I usually just wipe them down if I see a lot of fingerprints. But if I don't want to deal with really working to get rid of the fingerprints, I'll use some Ernie Ball Guitar Polish.

http://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Ball-4222-Guitar-Polish/dp/B0002GZTT4

All it does is help to get rid of the fingerprints faster.

On UV finishes (like Kanilea), I have tried Meguiars ScratchX, QuikDetailer, and Caranuba Wax, which really makes the instrument look sexy. However, I don't know how well it works on other finishes, and have not yet found an excuse to try.

kailua · Dec 30, 2009

I use one of those micro fiber cloths. Works great.

mangorockfish · Dec 30, 2009

I asked a luthier once which guitar polish was the best and he told me that none of them are any better than regular ol' Pledge.

Doc_J · Dec 30, 2009

I have used Howards Feed and Wax on fretboards and on the entire body of my Makapili and Boat Paddle.
It has really worked well for me. Hides scratches, gives a nice polished wax finish, smells great (orange oil, beeswax, carnauba wax).
You do not want to use this too often.

RevWill clued me into this wood care product.
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?20343-Dry-fretboard!

Ahnko Honu · Dec 30, 2009

I use Howard's wax & feed a combination of orange oil and bee's wax but mainly on the fretboard and sometimes on the bridge if unfinished but only occasionally on the body and neck.

experimentjon · Dec 30, 2009

mangorockfish said:
I asked a luthier once which guitar polish was the best and he told me that none of them are any better than regular ol' Pledge.

Really now?

I thought Pledge was terrible b/c it had silicone in it.

Do You Polish Your Uke?

Lori

Uke Crazy

Howie1947

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bazmaz

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Brad Bordessa

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experimentjon

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kailua

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mangorockfish

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Doc_J

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Ahnko Honu

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experimentjon

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