How do you clean an old electric guitar?

Cleaning an old electric guitar involves a multi-step process to restore its appearance and playability, carefully addressing the body, fretboard, hardware, and electronics.

How to Clean an Old Electric Guitar

Bringing an old electric guitar back to its gleaming best requires a gentle touch and the right approach for each component. From the dusty body to grimy fretboards and tarnished hardware, a thorough cleaning can significantly enhance its look and feel.

Essential Tools and Materials

Before you begin, gather the necessary supplies to ensure a smooth and effective cleaning process.

Soft Microfiber Cloths: Several clean ones for different tasks (body, fretboard, polishing).
Warm Water: For general surface cleaning.
Guitar Polish/Cleaner: Specifically designed for guitar finishes. Choose one appropriate for your guitar's finish (e.g., lacquer, polyurethane).
Fretboard Conditioner/Oil: Lemon oil or mineral oil for unfinished fretboards (rosewood, ebony). Do not use on maple fretboards.
Fine Steel Wool (0000 Grade): For cleaning unfinished fretboards and polishing frets.
Metal Polish: A small amount of guitar-specific or non-abrasive metal polish for hardware (optional, use sparingly).
Cotton Swabs: For hard-to-reach areas.
Guitar String Winder & New Strings: Essential for deep cleaning and better tone.
Rubbing Alcohol (IPA): For removing sticky residue, used sparingly and with caution.
Masking Tape: To protect pickups or finished areas when cleaning the fretboard/frets.

Pre-Cleaning Checklist

Component	Recommended Action
Strings	Loosen and remove old strings.
Workspace	Set up a clean, stable surface with a soft towel to protect the guitar.
Inspection	Note any particularly stubborn grime, rust, or delicate areas that need extra care.
Finish Type	Identify your guitar's finish (e.g., nitrocellulose lacquer, polyurethane) to choose appropriate cleaning products.

General Body and Finish Cleaning

The body and finish are often the most visible parts and gather the most dust and grime.

Dust Removal: Start by gently wiping down the entire guitar body with a dry, soft microfiber cloth to remove loose dust.
Damp Cloth Cleaning: Get a clean, soft microfibre cloth and dampen it slightly with a little warm water. Gently rub the entire surface of the guitar, applying a bit of pressure – often referred to as 'elbow grease' – to lift dirt and grime. As the cloth collects dirt, shift to a clean section or re-dampen it as needed.
Stubborn Grime: For more persistent marks, spray a small amount of guitar-specific cleaner or polish onto a clean section of your cloth (never directly onto the guitar). Work it into the finish in small sections, then buff dry with another clean, dry cloth. Always test a new product on an inconspicuous area first.
Buffing: Finish by buffing the entire body with a dry, clean microfiber cloth to a shine.

Caution: Avoid using household cleaners, furniture polish, or abrasive materials, which can damage the guitar's finish. For details on different finishes, refer to guides from reputable sources like Fender.

Fretboard Maintenance

The fretboard accumulates finger oils, sweat, and grime. The cleaning method depends on whether it's finished or unfinished.

For Unfinished Fretboards (Rosewood, Ebony, Pau Ferro)

Tape Off Pickups: Use masking tape to protect your pickups and the body around the fretboard.
Scrub with Steel Wool: Take a piece of 0000-grade steel wool and rub it with the grain of the wood along the fretboard. This will remove gunk and gently polish the frets. Be thorough but not overly aggressive.
Remove Debris: Use a dry cloth or a soft brush to remove any steel wool fragments and grime. A bit of masking tape can also pick up stray steel wool particles.
Conditioning: Apply a small amount of fretboard conditioner or lemon oil (specifically for guitars, not furniture polish) to a clean cloth and rub it into the wood. Let it soak in for a few minutes, then wipe off any excess. This rehydrates the wood and helps prevent cracking.

For Finished Fretboards (Maple with Lacquer/Polyurethane)

Damp Wipe: Treat a finished maple fretboard much like the guitar body. Dampen a clean, soft cloth with a little warm water and wipe down the surface.
Stubborn Spots: For tougher spots, a tiny amount of guitar cleaner or a very diluted, mild soap solution on a cloth can be used, followed immediately by a clean, damp cloth, and then buffed dry.
No Oil: Do not use lemon oil or fretboard conditioners on finished maple fretboards, as the finish prevents the wood from absorbing it.

Hardware Polishing and Care

Over time, metal hardware can tarnish, rust, or accumulate grime.

Wipe Down: Use a dry, clean microfiber cloth to wipe down all metal components, including the bridge, saddles, tuners, pickup covers, and output jack plate.
Rust/Tarnish (Mild): For light tarnish, a dry buff with 0000-grade steel wool can often work. For more stubborn tarnish on chrome or nickel, a tiny amount of guitar-specific metal polish on a cotton swab or a clean cloth can be used. Apply sparingly, rub gently, and immediately buff off any residue with a clean cloth.
Tuner Maintenance: Check the tightness of tuner screws. If tuners feel stiff, a tiny drop of light machine oil on moving parts (avoiding plastic) can help, but wipe off any excess.
Knobs and Switches: Wipe plastic knobs clean. For scratchy pots or switches, a specialized electronic contact cleaner can be used, but this should be done with caution and ideally by someone with experience, as it involves spraying into the electronic components.

Tip: Regularly wiping down hardware after playing can prevent sweat and oils from causing tarnish.

Electronic Component Care (Handle with Extreme Caution)

Unless you are experienced, it's best to leave internal electronics to a qualified guitar technician. However, some external aspects can be addressed:

Output Jack: If your output jack is intermittent or noisy, a quick spray of electronic contact cleaner into the jack can sometimes resolve it. Insert a cable several times to work the cleaner.
Potentiometers (Knobs): For scratchy volume or tone pots, electronic contact cleaner can be carefully sprayed into the back of the pot, then turn the knob rapidly. This is more involved and requires opening the guitar's control cavity.
Battery Compartment (Active Pickups): If your guitar has active pickups, check the battery compartment for corrosion. Clean any light corrosion with a cotton swab dampened with rubbing alcohol.
Warning: Always disconnect the guitar from any amplifier and handle electronic components with extreme care. If unsure, consult a professional.

Final Touches and Ongoing Maintenance

Once everything is clean, restring your guitar with a fresh set of strings. This is also a good time to check intonation and action.

Regular Wiping: Make it a habit to wipe down your guitar (especially the strings and fretboard) with a clean, dry cloth after every playing session.
Proper Storage: Store your guitar in a case or on a stand away from extreme temperature changes, direct sunlight, and humidity fluctuations.
Professional Setup: Consider a professional setup and inspection periodically, especially for old guitars, to address any underlying issues and ensure optimal playability. Sweetwater offers a comprehensive guide on guitar care and maintenance.

By following these steps, your old electric guitar will not only look significantly better but will also be more enjoyable to play and likely last longer.