A guitar is in constant contact with hands, clothing, its case and the air in the room. Sweat and skin oils settle on the strings and frets, the metal tarnishes, strings lose their brightness sooner and the neck turns sticky.
Both acoustic and electric guitars need regular care. Electric and electro-acoustic instruments add electronics to the list: pickups, controls and a battery compartment, whose contacts dislike moisture and dust just as much.
What you will need
Important: Never spray directly onto the guitar. Apply the product to a cloth only, and keep it off the fretboard wood and the body finish. Always wipe off any excess.
Step 1
Clean the strings after playing
Spray WD-40 Smart Straw onto a clean cloth or paper towel, not onto the instrument. Slide the cloth under the strings near the bridge.
Pinch the strings from both sides with the cloth and run it along the full length of the neck a few times. It lifts sweat and grease and protects the metal from oxidation, so the strings stay bright for longer. Finish with a dry cloth.
Step 2
Polish the frets
For a deep clean, remove the strings and lay the guitar on a stable, padded surface. Frets are often coated with a greasy film, with build-up at the edges and traces of oxidation.
Mask the fretboard wood between the frets with tape. Put a little WD-40 Multi-Use on a microfibre cloth and rub each fret several times until the grime and tarnish are gone and the metal shines. Wipe dry and remove the tape.
Step 3
Care for the neck
The fretboard may be bare wood, such as rosewood or ebony, or it may be lacquered. Treat bare wood with a lemon oil cleaner: brush it on, work it in across the board with microfibre, especially next to the frets, and wipe off the excess.
Never oil a lacquered or finished fretboard. A mild cleaner that cleans and polishes the surface is all it needs.
Step 4
Clean the body
After a first wipe, apply a dedicated guitar polish with wax to a microfibre cloth and work it over the top, sides and back several times.
Finish with a clean, dry cloth to remove smears and bring back the shine.
Step 5
Service the electronics
Electro-acoustic guitars have a battery compartment for the built-in preamp. Open it, remove the battery and treat the contacts with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner.
It dissolves dirt, dust and condensation even on delicate materials, is non-conductive, evaporates quickly and leaves no residue. You can treat the output jack the same way if it starts to crackle.
Step 6
Check the tremolo springs
On the back of an electric guitar there is a cavity with springs that return the bridge to neutral after you use the tremolo arm. Over time they get dirty and oxidise.
Treat the springs with WD-40 Smart Straw through the thin straw and wipe off the excess. If you remove them for cleaning, restore exactly the same tension, or tuning and bridge balance will suffer.
Tip: Keep the guitar in its case, away from radiators and damp rooms. Sharp swings in humidity through winter and spring do more harm to the wood than daily playing.
What next
Wipe the strings after every session, care for the frets and neck at each string change, and treat the electronics a few times a year. A well-kept guitar holds its tuning longer and sounds clean.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».