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What exactly is naphtha?

lns

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Mar 14, 2019
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What exactly is contained in the naphtha commonly used to clean guitars? Naphtha in Sweden isn’t called by the same name. I’ve been recommended a product called ‘chemically pure benzine/petrol’ (chemical name nafta/petroleum) for cleaning adhesive residues etc but wanted to check here before I try it
 

LeonC

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Aug 30, 2002
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809
Google is your friend.

"White spirit (UK) or mineral spirits (US, Canada), also known as mineral turpentine (AU/NZ), turpentine substitute, petroleum spirits, solvent naphtha (petroleum), Varsol, Stoddard solvent, or, generically, "paint thinner", is a petroleum-derived clear liquid used as a common organic solvent in painting."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_spirit
 

PaulD

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Jun 25, 2007
Messages
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Naphtha is most definitely NOT white spirit or paint thinners as stated above! If you used these to try to clean a nitrocellulose finish you will be likely to ruin your guitar!

Naphtha is a petroleum distillate, its most common form is lighter fluid. This can safely be used to clean a nitrocellulose finish without damaging it.
 

LeonC

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Aug 30, 2002
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809
Naphtha is most definitely NOT white spirit or paint thinners as stated above! If you used these to try to clean a nitrocellulose finish you will be likely to ruin your guitar!

Naphtha is a petroleum distillate, its most common form is lighter fluid. This can safely be used to clean a nitrocellulose finish without damaging it.

My bad, responded a bit to quickly. But OP - just google naphtha, you'll come up with definitions and sites like wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naphtha
 

latestarter

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Nov 9, 2009
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4,176
What exactly is contained in the naphtha commonly used to clean guitars? Naphtha in Sweden isn’t called by the same name. I’ve been recommended a product called ‘chemically pure benzine/petrol’ (chemical name nafta/petroleum) for cleaning adhesive residues etc but wanted to check here before I try it

Lighter fluid - like what Zippo's use. That's Naptha.
 

PaulD

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DON’T USE PAINT THIINER OR SOLVENTS YOU WILL DESTROY YOUR GUITAR FINISH

NAPTHALENE IS NOT PAINT THINNER or SOLVENT

Naphthalene is a crystalline solid, it is the main constituent of mothballs. I wouldn't advise using this to clean your guitar either :)

Naphtha (lighter fluid) is the thing to use.
 

lns

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Mar 14, 2019
Messages
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I asked because the answers I got from Google was very confusing & I wanted to be sure. So I bought a can & it took away grease built up for years. Saw that furniture polish contains the exact same ingredient but with added heavy oil. Zippo fuel contains the same distilled petroleum + something else.
 
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PaulD

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Jun 25, 2007
Messages
679
I asked because the answers I got from Google was very confusing & I wanted to be sure. So I bought a can & saw that furniture polish contains the exact same ingredient but with added heavy oil. I tried some (the kind without oil) & It removed every bit of built up grease that couldn’t be cleaned off with normal guitar cleaners. It’s called chemically clean petroleum which ought to be equivalent to distilled petroleum, the main ingredient in zippo lighter fuel. Hopefully it won’t harm my finish

If it's petroleum based it should be fine, just avoid anything that is solvent based, nitrocellulose lacquer is solvent based so putting solvent on it will soften the lacquer and act as a paint stripper.
 

Gold Tone

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Naphthalene is a crystalline solid, it is the main constituent of mothballs. I wouldn't advise using this to clean your guitar either :)

Naphtha (lighter fluid) is the thing to use.

Duh, yes, sorry

Thank you
 

SpencerD

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Mar 11, 2016
Messages
911
I'm very familiar with naptha,use it at my work daily. It absolutely will clean up a nitro finish on a guitar,works great.

A little tip -- it evaporates very quickly. Instead of saturating a cleaning cloth,get it damp and repeat the process as many times as you need to. Getting it soaking wet like a sponge and wiping it all over your guitar isn't going to help at all....it will still evaporate quickly! :laugh2:
 
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renderit

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Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,970
Naptha is heaven sent for cleaning.

I believe it is angels tears and narwal tusk in a solution of the finest Meade. No
olive.
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Mar 28, 2009
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images
 
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