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What’s the Best Way to Clean My Grimy Guitar?
If you are a guitar enthusiast, one thing that can be quite annoying is seeing your guitar get grime on it. This can happen over time as you use the guitar, and the dirt and oils from your hands start to build up on the guitar body, strings, and fretboard. While this can be an eyesore, there is a silver lining— there are ways you can clean your guitar to restore its glory and keep it looking beautiful.
In this post, we will discuss how to clean your guitar, the tools you need, and the steps involved. But before we delve into that, let’s understand why it’s essential to clean your guitar?
Why Clean Your Guitar?
A clean guitar will not only look good but will also function better and last longer. A dirty guitar can impact the sound, tone, and playability of the instrument. Dirt and grime can build up on the strings and affect their sound quality, corrode the metal screws and nuts, or even affect the electrical components.
Besides, a dirty guitar can also affect your health as the build-up of grime can cause allergens or bacteria to form, which can cause skin irritation or infections. So, it’s important to clean your guitar to keep it in optimal condition and prevent any health hazards.
Tools You Need to Clean Your Guitar:
Now that you know why it’s important to clean your guitar, let’s talk about the tools you need to accomplish this task.
1. A soft cloth- Choose a microfiber or flannel cloth, which is gentle on your guitar’s surface and capable of removing dirt and grime.
2. Guitar Cleaner- There are specific guitar cleaners available in the market, or you could even use a gentle all-purpose cleaner, vinegar, or lemon juice mixed with water.
3. String Cleaner- There are guitar string cleaners available in the market or use a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or vinegar to clean the guitar strings.
4. Toothbrush- A soft-bristle toothbrush can be used to clean the hard to reach spaces, including the bridge, pickups, tuners, and frets.
5. Guitar Polish and wax- You can use guitar polish and wax to shine your guitar and protect the finish.
6. Guitar Stand- You’ll need a stable guitar stand to prop up the guitar and work on it comfortably.
Now that you have your tools ready let’s talk about the steps you need to follow to clean your guitar.
How to Clean Your Guitar:
Step 1: Detach All the Parts from the Guitar
The first thing you want to do is detaching all the removable parts like strings, pickguard, knobs, and other accessories attached to the guitar. This is to make it easier to clean your guitar thoroughly.
Step 2: Cleaning the Body of the Guitar
After detaching the removable accessories, take a microfiber or flannel cloth and dampen it with guitar cleaner or any gentle all-purpose cleaner. Squeeze out the excess liquid and start wiping the guitar body in circular motions. Make sure to get rid of any dirt and grime from the guitar’s front and back, including the hard-to-reach areas. The last thing you want is to leave some areas without cleaning.
Once you’ve cleaned the body, take another dry cloth and wipe off any excess cleaner left on the guitar. You can also polish the guitar with guitar polish and wax to restore its shine and protect the finish.
Step 3: Cleaning the Fretboard
Moving on, let’s discuss cleaning your guitar fretboard or fingerboard. To do this, it’s important to note that the fretboard material determines the cleaning method. For instance, a maple fretboard requires a different cleaning solution from a rosewood fretboard.
For a maple fretboard, you need a soft cloth dampened with water, while a rosewood fretboard requires guitar cleaner or lemon oil. Dampen your soft cloth with the cleaning solution, wring it to get rid of excess liquid, and start wiping the frets and fretboard. Take your time to get rid of any dirt and grime build-up, especially around the frets.
Once done, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the fretboard and remove any excess liquid. You can also apply lemon oil on your guitar fretboard to nourish the wood and make it look new again.
Step 4: Cleaning Your Guitar Strings
Cleaning the guitar strings is very important because dirt and grime can accumulate on the strings and affect the sound quality. Take a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or vinegar and start wiping each individual string. Make sure not to apply too much pressure, as this can cause the strings to snap.
Once you’re done cleaning the strings, take a dry cloth and wipe any excess liquid left on the strings. You should also lubricate the strings before putting them back on. You can use a guitar string conditioner to do this, which will protect the strings from rust and give you a smoother sound.
Step 5: Reassembling Your Guitar
Once everything is clean and dry, it’s time to put everything back together. This includes re-stringing the guitar, attaching the knobs, pickguard and other accessories, and tuning the guitar to your desired key.
Conclusion:
Cleaning your guitar doesn’t have to be complicated. You can achieve an optimal clean using some basic cleaning tools and solutions. Remember, a clean guitar plays better, looks better, and lasts longer. It’s important to clean your guitar regularly for optimal health and sound quality.
With these tips and tools in mind, you can get your guitar looking and sounding great again in no time.
Image Credit: Pexels