Just as with electrics, acoustics can have a nitro or poly finish. James walks you through how to approach cleaning up an acoustic guitar, no matter the finish. Once again, we look at the best product to use and how to use it!

Summary: Nitro or poly?

Acoustics can have both nitro and poly finishes, and to help work out which one yours is, a good indicator is the price. Generally speaking, cheaper acoustic guitars will be poly finishes as they take less time to do, and therefore can be sold cheaper. Guitars from the £1000 and upwards bracket will generally have nitro finishes as the hours have been put into getting that finish.

Equipment: Pump Polish

James recommends using Martin's acoustic pump polish, as shown below. This is a slightly thinner and easier to spread polish than the previous pump polishes we have used, which massively helps when cleaning acoustics. It also contains no silicon which can damage the finish, and so is important to avoid.