Which polishing cloth is best for PRS Nitro and V12 finish?

[Virtuoso]

I would like to have your recommendation on the best polishing cloth, which will not cause any fine scratches on PRS Nitro and V12 finish. What about Dean Markley Microfiber polishing cloth (gray one)? It looks impressive with good reviews, but not sure if it is safe for Nitro finish (fine scratches are concerned).
I heard that microfiber cloth will cause fine scratches on Nitro finish, only 100% cotton cloth will be safe. Is it true? Please advise.

I am also curious what kind of cloth/polish is being used by PRS Private Stock to clean the guitar before delivery

 

[László]

I would like to have your recommendation on the best polishing cloth, which will not cause any fine scratches on PRS Nitro and V12 finish. What about Dean Markley Microfiber polishing cloth (gray one)? It looks impressive with good reviews, but not sure if it is safe for Nitro finish (fine scratches are concerned).
I heard that microfiber cloth will cause fine scratches on Nitro finish, only 100% cotton cloth will be safe. Is it true? Please advise.

I am also curious what kind of cloth/polish is being used by PRS Private Stock to clean the guitar before delivery

Well, there's microfiber made for cleaning something like a computer screen, and there's microfiber made for polishing fine painted finishes. Just as some wool sweaters are scratchy, you also have wool cashmere, and you can by a soft Merino wool sweater that's completely wonderful.

A good microfiber cloth like these will not harm your nitro finish, and in fact, they are less harmful than even soft cotton or flannel cloths. I learned this as a concours car guy with fine lacquer finishes. I use these on my nitro-finished Private Stock and my V12 stuff, and have no swirl marks:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/micro+fiber+speed+shine+cloths+set+of+3.do?sortby=ourPicks

The secret of a good fluffy cloth like this is that the filaments of the fabric are even finer than cotton fibers. You don't have to rub as hard.

It's easy enough to check - take a cotton cloth and rub it hard on something like a clear plastic CD case, then do a different spot with the microfiber. You'll see swirl marks where you used the cotton, and not the microfiber.

I only use a polish if I have a light swirl or scratch to polish out. Most polishes have abrasives, and the Virtuoso polishes use chemicals to accomplish the breakdown of the paint surface. Either way, you don't want to use polishes too often. Most polishes are also not nitro-safe. They will cause clouding. So be sure to check that before buying.

For daily wipedowns, which is all I usually need, I just take a damp one (water is a good surfactant) and get the goo off, and dry it immediately with a clean one.

I also use them with the PRS Cleaner, which has no abrasives and is safe for nitro.

 

[CoreyT]

Les, do you cut the cloths up?
I use those same blue Speed Shine cloths with Griot's Speed Shine on my FJ Cruiser.
The cloths are pretty big and thick.

 

[jfb]

I just use the PRS branded ones.

 

[László]

Les, do you cut the cloths up?

Nope. But I do pull the little white tags off. They are big, I just fold 'em.

 

[László]

I just use the PRS branded ones.

The Griot's ones are as thick as a blanket and much softer. Whether this makes a difference or not I don't know. I have some PRS ones, too.

Very different feel to the hand, though.

 

[Virtuoso]

Well, there's microfiber made for cleaning something like a computer screen, and there's microfiber made for polishing fine painted finishes. Just as some wool sweaters are scratchy, you also have wool cashmere, and you can by a soft Merino wool sweater that's completely wonderful.

A good microfiber cloth like these will not harm your nitro finish, and in fact, they are less harmful than even soft cotton or flannel cloths. I learned this as a concours car guy with fine lacquer finishes. I use these on my nitro-finished Private Stock and my V12 stuff, and have no swirl marks:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/micro+fiber+speed+shine+cloths+set+of+3.do?sortby=ourPicks

The secret of a good fluffy cloth like this is that the filaments of the fabric are even finer than cotton fibers. You don't have to rub as hard.

It's easy enough to check - take a cotton cloth and rub it hard on something like a clear plastic CD case, then do a different spot with the microfiber. You'll see swirl marks where you used the cotton, and not the microfiber.

I only use a polish if I have a light swirl or scratch to polish out. Most polishes have abrasives, and the Virtuoso polishes use chemicals to accomplish the breakdown of the paint surface. Either way, you don't want to use polishes too often. Most polishes are also not nitro-safe. They will cause clouding. So be sure to check that before buying.

For daily wipedowns, which is all I usually need, I just take a damp one (water is a good surfactant) and get the goo off, and dry it immediately with a clean one.

I also use them with the PRS Cleaner, which has no abrasives and is safe for nitro.

Thank you so much for the stunning suggestions! I think all the players using nitro finished guitar should read this excellent first-hand experience.

A good high-quality microfiber cloth would be the right way to go, and I will test the cloth on plastic CD case first

 

[Rider1260]

I use the ones at Costco huge bag for about $20 I keep one in every case. Great for lots of things

http://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Microfiber-Ultra-Plush-Towels-.product.100090463.html

 

[Gyro]

Costco, huh? I'll have to go there today and check it out.

 

[László]

I use the ones at Costco huge bag for about $20 I keep one in every case. Great for lots of things

http://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Microfiber-Ultra-Plush-Towels-.product.100090463.html

I use the Costco ones on my car; they're fine.

The Griot's ones are in a different league in terms of thickness and softness, but they all do the job.

 

[Gyro]

Went to Costco yesterday and mine didn't carry them. At least I couldn't find them. I know they used to sell bags of those red mechanics rags but i wouldn't use those on my guitars. There used to be a non-woven German Made cloth which was on TV a lot. They absorbed a ton of water. When you washed them they shrank to about 1/4 of their original size. These things were great for polishing your guitars. i can't find them anymore.