Yeah, but it still has naphtha. I think they all do... I didn't mean to single out Zippo other than the fact that I have one and use it. I also have a lighter-fluid-powered hand warmer that looks like a Zippo.
First post and question!
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fronobulax
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My search fu did not give me an answer I liked but it is clear that California has banned naphtha and that products containing naphtha can be sold and shipped to entities in California. I did not find any comments about the ban being phased in thus it might not be total for a few years. I did not find anything that dealt with quantities - above X is banned but below X is fine. I did find some specifics about industrial uses being prohibited so maybe a company cannot use it in manufacturing in California but an individual can use it in lighter fluid? But, like rosewood and CITES, this may need expert commentary to figure out 
davismanLV
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WOW!!! SOOOO cool!! I can see me on a corner outside Sacramento smoking a ciggie and peddling illicit Naptha...... !! "What you selling, man??" "Keep your voice down... it's just lighter fluid...." "How much..." etc., etc., etc.....My search fu did not give me an answer I liked but it is clear that California has banned naphtha and that products containing naphtha can be sold and shipped to entities in California. I did not find any comments about the ban being phased in thus it might not be total for a few years. I did not find anything that dealt with quantities - above X is banned but below X is fine. I did find some specifics about industrial uses being prohibited so maybe a company cannot use it in manufacturing in California but an individual can use it in lighter fluid? But, like rosewood and CITES, this may need expert commentary to figure out
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California is a very strange place. My mother used to say, "When God was done making the Earth he shook it and all the loose nuts ended up in California."
She would usually direct this at me when I was being a smarmy teenager because I was born in California.
She would usually direct this at me when I was being a smarmy teenager because I was born in California.
adorshki
Reverential Member
IIRC the last time I checked (6 or 7 years?) it's a concentration/volume issue.My search fu did not give me an answer I liked but it is clear that California has banned naphtha and that products containing naphtha can be sold and shipped to entities in California. I did not find any comments about the ban being phased in thus it might not be total for a few years. I did not find anything that dealt with quantities - above X is banned but below X is fine. I did find some specifics about industrial uses being prohibited so maybe a company cannot use it in manufacturing in California but an individual can use it in lighter fluid? But, like rosewood and CITES, this may need expert commentary to figure out
Similar issue for why acetone can be sold in nail polish remover. And hydrogen peroxide between 3-5% dilution.
Also Zippo fluid contains other stuff besides naphtha that may not be beneficial for tops or at least impede optimum results for cleaning.
adorshki
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12 string
Senior Member
Veering back...I live in Fresno. You should monitor the humidity in your case. You may want a dampit from time to time. But maybe not. If your guitar(s) live in a room with hardwood floors, wood paneling, lots of books and so forth you may not need to do anything at all. Learn the warning signs of dehydration.
Keep 'em cased when not in use!
As for polish, I'm with those who only use a soft cloth and some moisture.
When I have all the strings off I clean the fingerboard with OOOO steel wool. If you do this cover the sound hole, especially if you have onboard electronics. And then a drop or two of oil (less is more) on the fingerboard and bridge.
Congratulations and welcome!
' Strang
Keep 'em cased when not in use!
As for polish, I'm with those who only use a soft cloth and some moisture.
When I have all the strings off I clean the fingerboard with OOOO steel wool. If you do this cover the sound hole, especially if you have onboard electronics. And then a drop or two of oil (less is more) on the fingerboard and bridge.
Congratulations and welcome!
' Strang
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davismanLV
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California was a wonderful place to grow up. It's beautiful and the weather is great. California natives are fine for the most part. Then over the years a huge influx of people from elsewhere with funny ideas. Then things started to get crazy. My friend Jill (one of my best early riding students) and her husband Art ran cattle at their ranch out near Bakersfield. They only had 80 acres, which is not nearly enough, but they leased over 60,000 from the government every year to run the cattle. This has been going on since the beginning of time. About 15 years ago some tree-hugging dogooders rallied and convinced the CA government that the land HAD to lie fallow a certain period for any years used for cattle. They passed a law and essentially put them out of business. Then the stress of that whole thing (they'd built a beautiful house and barn on their land) pushed poor Art over the edge and before they could work out what to do, he had a massive heart attack and died. Then the government swooped in and offered to buy their land and house and barns to create some type of museum and community center. What a mess.
I'm so glad I don't live there any more. But it once was so nice. People can be so short sighted. Okay, enough of my veer and rant. Back to...... what were we talking about? Oh yeah, humidification.... carry on.
That sounds reasonable, Al.
Do you have any details on this, Al? [your second paragraph, that is]
adorshki
Reverential Member
https://ilrc.ucf.edu/documents/ILRC 00000584/NCFS_584 Zippo Lighter Fluid.pdf
"Light Hydrotreated Distillate ACGIH OSHA HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS" leaves waxy residue that doesn't evaporate as completely or have the same solvent properties as naphtha.
https://www.shell.us/business-custo...s-petroleum-hydrotreated-light-paraffinic.pdf
For this reason Zippo fuel's explicitly "unrecommended" in chemistry processes where pure naphtha's used as a solvent.
Dang! Good sleuthing, Al. Have to stay away from Zippo fluid.
I almost always use Ronsonol for my lighters (it's available here). Any heads up on that.
I guess we have to be careful about recommending "lighter fluid" (as opposed to pure naphtha) for cleaning!
adorshki
Reverential Member
Y'know, turned out to be a good question. Ronsonol says "Aliphatic Napthas" and that leads to
https://shop.boeing.com/aviation-supply/p/16131817=76
Think we can be fairly well assured there's no pesky residues in that stuff. And a lifetime supply should still leave something in the 401k.
Outstanding, Al. Ronsonol it is!
Guildedagain
Enlightened Member
Using Meguiars Cleaner Wax on guitars for a long time now.
Never ever put in on the guitar, on the rag only. Swirl it around, let it dry, buff it off.
Wax on, wax off ;[]
I use a hydrated sponge in the case as a humidifier, always leave acoustics cased when not in play.
Never ever put in on the guitar, on the rag only. Swirl it around, let it dry, buff it off.
Wax on, wax off ;[]
I use a hydrated sponge in the case as a humidifier, always leave acoustics cased when not in play.
valleyguy
Member
I live in Los Angeles, similar weather. I keep my guitars on stands and/or hanging on the wall. I keep a hydrometer in the room. If it goes below 20% I put my better guitars in a case with wet sponge in a soap dish for the few days. I’m close enough to the beach that I open the house at night to getmoist sea air to cool and humidify the house.
Of course, Your Mileage May Vary…..
Of course, Your Mileage May Vary…..