White-ish dust/powder in guitar?

markv · January 2019

I've just noticed a white-ish/beige powder inside my guitar. I can see it on the top's bracing and on the side. The photo below shows it on the treble side of the inside of the top bout, but there's more in the corresponding position on the bass side. It's dry and comes off if wiped. There's a bit of a musty smell in the guitar maybe, or maybe I'm imagining it. It's not strong, if it is there.

Any thoughts about what might this be, what might be causing it and what would be a good way of removing and preventing recurrence, if such a treatment is needed?

The guitar is a Morris, made in Korea and bought new about 20 years ago from Ivor Mairants - not particularly valuable but I like it

I've had a search on the internet and of course there are many, many answers.

Thanks for any help!

https://i.imgur.com/t7W05vS.jpg

Strangefan · January 2019

Cocaine . Definately cocaine.

octatonic · January 2019

It is usually polishing compound from manufacturing.

Funkfingers · January 2019

Its favourite habitat is machinehead holes through headstocks.

p90fool · January 2019

That looks like mould.

markv · January 2019

Thanks for the answers so far.

p90fool said:

That looks like mould.

Yes, that was my concern, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. Unfortunately I don't remember seeing it before ... which could mean it's only recently appeared, or it's always been there and I am just very unobservant, or have a bad memory, either of which could well be true.

ICBM · January 2019

It's polishing compound residue - very common on cheaper guitars where they don't block the soundhole when buffing the guitar. You might not have noticed it before because it's in a place you rarely see unless you're looking on purpose.

They use a big buffing wheel and it flings off the compound sideways as it passes over the soundhole. You can see how it's been thrown against the side wall of the guitar and the brace has left a 'shadow' and caught some of it.

markv · January 2019

octatonic said:

It is usually polishing compound from manufacturing.

ICBM said:

It's polishing compound residue - very common on cheaper guitars where they don't block the soundhole when buffing the guitar. You might not have noticed it before because it's in a place you rarely see unless you're looking on purpose.

They use a big buffing wheel and it flings off the compound sideways as it passes over the soundhole. You can see how it's been thrown against the side wall of the guitar and the brace has left a 'shadow' and caught some of it.

Aha thanks guys - that's set my mind at rest!

FelineGuitars · January 2019

If there is a musty smell don't overlook mold - like mildew

Wipe down with a little diluted bleach on a cloth

ChrisCox1994 · January 2019

do you use a plectrum?

Phil_aka_Pip · January 2019

ChrisCox1994 said:

do you use a plectrum?

good point - if it were under the strings I'd have suggested ground fingernails

markv · January 2019

FelineGuitars said:

If there is a musty smell don't overlook mold - like mildew
Wipe down with a little diluted bleach on a cloth

Online I've seen about 50% people recommending this, and 50% people saying "omg don't let bleach anywhere near your guitar!" ;-) So good to have a recommendation from someone who knows what they're talking about, thanks! I assume you mean inside the guitar?

ChrisCox1994 said:

do you use a plectrum?

Yes, most of the time.

JMP220478 · January 2019

FelineGuitars said:

If there is a musty smell don't overlook mold - like mildew
Wipe down with a little diluted bleach on a cloth

have you tried hydrogen peroxide n lemon juice as an alternative bleaching agent ?

p90fool · January 2019

markv said:

Thanks for the answers so far.

p90fool said:

That looks like mould.

Yes, that was my concern, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. Unfortunately I don't remember seeing it before ... which could mean it's only recently appeared, or it's always been there and I am just very unobservant, or have a bad memory, either of which could well be true.

To remove all doubt you could just taste it, it'll taste like mouldy bread.

It might clear up that embarrassing itch, too.

proggy · January 2019

That could be woodworm.

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White-ish dust/powder in guitar?

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