How do you protect & maintain your guitar and do guitar finish protectants actua

Question:I use Gibson's Pump Polish to clean and protect my acoustic guitars. It works really well for cleaning the guitar, but I wonder if it actually really protects my guitar as well. It says that it adds a trace amount of lacquer to help replenish and seal the instrument's finish. Do you think claims from products like these are actually true? I also recently received a Fender Treated Polish Cloth which is basically a very soft cloth with a cleaning agent added. I've read that this is very effective in cleaning the guitar, but I was also wondering if this treated cloth might wipe off the protection that the Gibson polish is supposed to provide?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I use Gibson's Pump Polish to clean and protect my acoustic guitars. It works really well for cleaning the guitar, but I wonder if it actually really protects my guitar as well. It says that it adds a trace amount of lacquer to help replenish and seal the instrument's finish. Do you think claims from products like these are actually true? I also recently received a Fender Treated Polish Cloth which is basically a very soft cloth with a cleaning agent added. I've read that this is very effective in cleaning the guitar, but I was also wondering if this treated cloth might wipe off the protection that the Gibson polish is supposed to provide?

My routine is to keep two lint-free cloths in plastic baggies. One of them is dry and used to wipe down the instrument if it gets wet (like if I perspire a lot while performing). The other is for the rare occasions when I put a little guitar polish on the body. I also use a lubricating spray on the neck which claims to help preserve it.

I don't think you will harm the instrument by using both of your products, but of course there's an overkill factor--when you wear out that special cleaning cloth, I'd go for just regular spray polish, clean cloths, and lube spray if you like it.