Cleaning sticky food residue off guitar and string?

[jeremiahzellers]

Long story short, I’ve got two kids under three years old who are chaotic evil. My Eastman AR810CE was attacked with sticky cookie hands which is on the body, the pick guard, the neck, the strings, etc…

is there a safe cleaning method for all of these? Dry cotton tshirt (which is what I normally do) will not work as this is dried on food gunk…

[sgosnell]

Mild dish soap and water, or probably just water, will do the job. A damp sponge, not a gallon of water.

[marcwhy]

Mild dish soap and water, or probably just water, will do the job. A damp sponge, not a gallon of water.

[and buy a case!]

Kids are wonderful, and they can destroy everything!

[jeremiahzellers]

[and buy a case!]

Kids are wonderful, and they can destroy everything!

They actually got it out of the case…

[skykomishone]

They want to be like you and play some jazz! Cool!

[marcwhy]

They actually got it out of the case…

Random beatings are the only solution ....

[Bobby Timmons]

I'd use a damp sponge. Then what I like to use on my Hammond to cleanse while being gentle and leave it residue free is just windex.

[wintermoon]

About 25 yrs ago I lent my friend w 2 young kids my super rare record of Betty Carter's "Out There"
When I got it back it had jelly smeared all over it. I couldn't get it out and was so disgusted I just gave it to him.
That was the last time I lent a record out.

[Christian Miller]

Long story short, I’ve got two kids under three years old who are chaotic evil. My Eastman AR810CE was attacked with sticky cookie hands which is on the body, the pick guard, the neck, the strings, etc…

is there a safe cleaning method for all of these? Dry cotton tshirt (which is what I normally do) will not work as this is dried on food gunk…

Much like certain denizens of the monster manual, kids are always chaotic evil. Luckily they are also cute.

Good luck with the cleaning!

[Christian Miller]

Long story short, I’ve got two kids under three years old who are chaotic evil. My Eastman AR810CE was attacked with sticky cookie hands which is on the body, the pick guard, the neck, the strings, etc…

is there a safe cleaning method for all of these? Dry cotton tshirt (which is what I normally do) will not work as this is dried on food gunk…

Much like certain denizens of the monster manual, kids under three are always chaotic evil. It’s a good job they are also cute.

Good luck with the cleaning!

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I have an 810CE7 and 2 kids. Fortunately, the kids are in their 40s, but I can sympathize. I came home from work one day to find my then 3 year old “playing” my D-28. My wife had taken it out so he could be like daddy……

I may be wrong, but I think my 810’s “vintage” finish is French polished. If this is the finish on yours, it could be a real problem to get the food off. If at all possible, I’d check with Eastman or take it to a good luthier before trying to remove it. Unfortunately, French polished shellac mars very easily. Even water drops can leave marks.

Do not use anything containing alcohol because it will dissolve shellac and varnish. A clean, soft lightly dampened cloth is probably best, and you have to change it after every wipe. Even tiny particles of food can scratch the finish. Be careful with water if you have to soften food residue to remove it. Don’t get any on the uninvolved finish, and wipe any dampness off immediately with a clean, dry, soft cotton or microfiber cloth.

Time is of the essence - I’d try to get to it by Monday for sure. Good luck!

[jeremiahzellers]

“Unfortunately, French polished shellac mars very easily. Even water drops can leave marks.”

Yeah, I’m glad I checked this forum before I just started hacking away at it. That’s what I was afraid of. I thought I had heard that this was not your typical nitro finish and you confirmed that for me.

[Dave70]

They actually got it out of the case…

Time to start using the case keys.