What is the best thing to clean your cello with?
Bob

hi i clean it with tissue or a thicker cloth.

Thanks, I was wanting to know if anything besides a dry cloth should ever be used on a cello. I have used a soft cotten cloth but there seems to be still a little left and the surface feels slightly rough where the rosin was.
Bob

I agree, and use a cotton cloth also. And to avoid buildup I use a polish that is specifically for guitars, no other wood polish will do. So far the best I`ve found is Jim Dunlop formula 55, but I never stop looking and trying them all. My instuments are prisitine. I like the politeness and respect for fellow members on this site. Strat man Dwight

Thanks, I appreciate your answer.
Bob

I assume that you mean off of the wood itself..... When cleaning the strings most people use rubbing alcohol, obviously this would be teribly dangerous to wood if rubbed on. I have heard of some people using gasoline to clean the sticky rosin residue off, but I don`t know how this is accomplished. You can buy instrument cleaning kits, but these are usually very expensive. If anyone knows about the method of using gasoline to clean an instrument, let me know! In the mean time, stick with a polish.




Titus

Thanks, Titus, I did mean the wood areas on the front the rosin settles on. I WAS wondering about the strings also after writing this and you answered it.
I believe gasoline would leave a residue on the wood that would dull the finish and eventualy crack the finish. Gasoline is an excellent degreaser but leaves that awful dull look. I only use gasoline to clean greasy car parts.
Bob
Bob

Thanks, Titus, I did mean the wood areas on the front the rosin settles on. I WAS wondering about the strings also after writing this and you answered it.
I believe gasoline would leave a residue on the wood that would dull the finish and eventualy crack the finish. Gasoline is an excellent degreaser but leaves that awful dull look. I only use gasoline to clean greasy car parts.
Bob

Re: gasoline. No petroleum based oil derived products are advisable near any wood, especially fine wooden instruments. This also applies to mineral spirits such as paint thinner, degreaser, varsol and turpentine. There is even some controversy over lemon oil. Oils used must be natural, non-synthetic, no silicone. Vegetable based oils leave an unforgiving residue, that`s where some lemon oils which are actually vegetable based with a hint of lemon. They are gooey and give build up, also soften the finish. Kyser Products Dr. Stringfellows Lem-Oil is THE ONE that I know is safe. If it smears, it is okay to use a little dampness from water and a mild soap afterward, then ... the guitar polish. Also, Gerlitz, with their own website has World Clas no-risk, excellent products. I don`t see cost as being an issue, especially when refinishing cost hundreds, even thousands. Source for much of this is Dan Erlewine`s book on finishes, from Stewart MacDonald Instrument parts catalogue. Strat man Dwight

Thanks, everyone, lots of good info here.
Bob