1990 PRS Custom 24 Finish: Nitro or Poly?

[cmmallinson]

Okay, so I have a 1990 PRS Custom 24 10 top in truly immaculate, if not like new condition. :top: It was previously owned by a collector and it was literally unplayed. I do play my guitars, especially this one. I'm OCD about my gear. I keep it looking 100%. Every now and then I will just wipe down my guitars with a micro-fiber wipe, similar to that of the ones included with Apple/Mac products, and a cleaner. I have been using the Dunlop No. 65. I read that it is actually damaging for a nitro finish and the PRS brand cleaner is also bad for nitro. So, I suppose my questions are as follows:

What finish was used by PRS in the late 80's to early 90's era?
If my guitar does have a nitro finish, how should I clean/maintain it? :iamconfused:

Other possibly relevant details about my guitar are that it is a Sunburst color and it's a 10 top. I read somewhere that 10 tops and sunburst tops where finished differently. That's just speculation on part of friends of mine. Anyways, any and all guidance will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jazzedout]

Welcome to the forum!
I'm 99% sure it is poly...
You should know that this forum loves pics. Let's see some of your guitar!!

 

[cmmallinson]

Thanks Jazz! Maybe these photos will help.. :biggrin:

 

[JMintzer]

100% sure it's not nitro... (unless it's been refinished...)

 

[László]

It's got a poly finish; I've got a few suggestions:

1. Dunlop 65 and PRS polish are OK for polishing out scratches, but they are abrasive polishes; that is, they have an abrasive material suspended in a lubricant of some kind. If you aren't polishing out scratches, they not only aren't necessary, but a polish will often create swirl marks due to its abrasives.

If you want to add a little shine, every so often the PRS cleaner works well. It's non-abrasive. I use it maybe once a year, and it's safe for nitro if you have nitro guitars.

2. Unless you're cleaning off a lot of gunk, use a clean, damp (not sopping wet) microfiber cloth, followed by a clean dry one. The less you use abrasive cleaners, the better. Note, however, that the flat cloths that Apple supplies (and that type in general) are made for glass, and can't lift grit off the surface very well. - that grit will still be rubbed into the finish by the cloth. Glass is a harder material than poly.

However, there are more towel-like microfiber cloths around that will lift the grit from the surface. These are the best I've found, they don't scratch relatively soft plastics (and your poly finish is a relatively soft plastic), and they are made for cleaning and polishing painted/lacquered finishes:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product...e+cloths+set+of+3.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=

 

[cmmallinson]

Thanks JMintzer! The guitar has not been refinished and is 100% stock!

LSchefman, thanks for the wealth of knowledge! I had no clue about these sorts of things! Fortunately, I live only about 20 minutes from the PRS factory. I'll need to swing by and see if I can pick up some of the PRS cleaner ,and then buy some of the Micro Fiber Speed Shine Cloths online!