How To Clean Rust Off A Humbucker

Written by April 21, 2022

I noticed that there isn't a ton of information out there on how to make clean guitar pickups. And while I think the wrongways should be adequately obvious (lather and warm h2o are out), the most optimal methods aren't actually discussed. On all my electric guitars, that area gets really dusty and - afterwards awhile - that dust sort of thickens and literally needs wiped away.

Inevitably, information technology impacts the pickups which - if you know how guitar pickups piece of work - need to have a clean magnetic peak to properly transmit the vibrations of your guitar strings.

For this reason, I call up it'due south helpful to know how to clean guitar pickups, at least at a basic level.

And it'southward simpler than you might retrieve.

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Step past Step

For starters, we'll wait at four uncomplicated steps to clean your pickups, regardless of the type of electrical guitar you're dealing with. This method works best with covered humbuckers, but can too work with single coil rails.

Remove the strings (all-time to do when irresolute strings)
Use a soft, dry fabric to wipe away the grit and dirt
Utilise compressed air to clean the cracks and crevices of the pickup
Wipe with cloth 1 more time so put strings dorsum on

Closeup of Guitar Humbuckers

Some compressed air can go a long way. Flickr Commons image via R Halfpaap

With the compressed air tin (something like Dust-Off for electronics will work fine) make certain yous hold it far plenty back from the pickup before spraying. This isn't a totally crucial role of the process, simply helpful if you want to be thorough. Otherwise, your easiest solution is but the dry cloth in a sort of dusting/polishing part.

What nearly rust or oxidization?

If you lot have excessive rust around your pickups, yous might be tempted to clean that off also. Keep in listen, a minor amount of rust isn't necessarily going to compromise your tone. Some people prefer it from an aesthetic perspective, like the Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickup sets.

Should you decide to clean the rust, try a rust remover solution like Evapo-Rust which is non-acidic and not-toxic.

Humbuckers on a Gibson SG Electric Guitar

Given enough time and sweat (gross) pickups and humbuckers can build up rust. Flickr Commons image via The Tronodon

Just dab a small amount on a fabric and use it similar a polish on the pickup's magnetic poles. Avoid getting whatsoever of this on the paint or the body of the guitar.

From there, you'll need a different (dry) cloth to wipe away the remaining rust remover and loose particles.

Am I better off simply replacing the pickups?

If the dirt or rust has gotten so bad that the aesthetics of your pickups are significantly damaged, or maybe they simply don't sound as skilful anymore, information technology might be time to supersede them.

Checkout our all-time guitar pickups roundup for help in that area.

In most cases, I'd say cleaning your pickups should be an issue of maintenance and non a last-itch attempt to "resurrect" their sound. If a pickup is and so erstwhile, rusted, and dirty that information technology no longer sounds as good as it in one case did, it's nigh certainly time to replace it. This is especially truthful if they're the stock pickups that came with the guitar.

For some reason those tend to build up rust and grime a lot quicker than the nicer pickup sets, particularly the humbuckers.

Conclusion

But in terms of how to clean guitar pickups, start with a soft dust cloth and go from in that location.

If y'all want to be really thorough you can add together the compressed air and perhaps the rust remover, if things arereally dire.

Otherwise, a little fleck of dust and dirt isn't going to cause you a ton of problem.

As far every bit how oftentimes to clean your pickups, I'd recommend simply doing it whenever you take the occasion to change strings, perchance once every three months or so.

Your Questions

Practice you have questions about how to clean guitar pickups the right way?

Everyone's state of affairs is different, so if you have a question I didn't address hither, feel free to drop me a line in the comments section below.

I'chiliad always happy to help equally best I can.