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Crud on pickup covers.

Tom310

New member
Joined
Jun 23, 2024
Messages
9
Anyone else see a dusty smudgy buildup on their pickup covers? The guitar stays in its case when not being played so I have no idea where it's coming from. It almost seems like the pickups are attracting it. It does rub off with some elbow grease.
 
Last edited:

Tom310

New member
Joined
Jun 23, 2024
Messages
9
Do you wipe em down every time after playing? Use any polish or anything?
I never wipe down the pickup covers and I haven't used any polish on them yet. I just can't figure out why the build up on the pickups. The guitar is a 2023 LP Standard 50s. Thx for your reply!
 

thin sissy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
2,734
This has happened on every humbuckered guitar I've ever owned. I just assume it's particles of skin, dust and sweat that stick (often making a "string pattern"). And that salt and moisture contributes to corrosion and so on. And on the lower parts the plating gets polished off by years of rubbing a finger there every now and then.

I like the look of beat up covers :) . I don't know any way to avoid it other than wipe them down after use (a little tricky). Another option would be to get stainless steel covers I guess and clean them every string change or so.
 

MarcB

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Joined
Sep 1, 2023
Messages
1,494
I’ve always had crud on my pickup covers.. this is because of the drool created from my tasty licks.

Bonjour.
 

charliechitlins

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Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
1,254
I just shined up a virginal '58 PAF with Nevr-dull and put a little carnauba wax on it.
I was afraid to even touch it, so I waxed it to protect it as much as possible
 

Tom310

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Joined
Jun 23, 2024
Messages
9
I just shined up a virginal '58 PAF with Nevr-dull and put a little carnauba wax on it.
I was afraid to even touch it, so I waxed it to protect it as much as possible
Thx for the tip. My next question was going to be if anyone knew of a good polish to use on the pickup covers. I was wondering if any kind are car product could be used to shine the chrome covers. Maybe Brasso?
 

charliechitlins

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Nov 16, 2021
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1,254
Thx for the tip. My next question was going to be if anyone knew of a good polish to use on the pickup covers. I was wondering if any kind are car product could be used to shine the chrome covers. Maybe Brasso?
Brasso has a bit of abrasive.
I use it to finish fret jobs, but I wouldn't use it on a valuable nickel plated pickup.
It wouldn't hurt chrome.
 

jb_abides

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Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
6,228
Never-Dull and FLITZ when used appropriately, as @charliechitlins said.

Also water dilutions of vinegar and salt, and ammonia lightly applied and wiped with water can work. Just research any nickel plating cleaning solution but use judiciously on guitar parts.

The best 'guitar-approved' product for this task is Virtuoso Cleaner (complementary product to Virtuoso Polish) will do the job.

You can lightly apply polish including the auto polishes with carnauba wax for preventative protection but like anything electronic, light application that doesn't seep into the actual componentry is essential... Easy does it!
 

Tom310

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Joined
Jun 23, 2024
Messages
9
Never-Dull and FLITZ when used appropriately, as @charliechitlins said.

Also water dilutions of vinegar and salt, and ammonia lightly applied and wiped with water can work. Just research any nickel plating cleaning solution but use judiciously on guitar parts.

The best 'guitar-approved' product for this task is Virtuoso Cleaner (complementary product to Virtuoso Polish) will do the job.

You can lightly apply polish including the auto polishes with carnauba wax for preventative protection but like anything electronic, light application that doesn't seep into the actual componentry is essential... Easy does it!
Thx for the info!
 

mdubya

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Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,068
5932e9e55b3042cbc8f5f5a2b4a46e81.jpg


Just wipe them clean.

A little bit of water or glass cleaner on a cloth will more than do the trick.

Water only if they are gold.
 

charliechitlins

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
1,254
Never-Dull and FLITZ when used appropriately, as @charliechitlins said.

Also water dilutions of vinegar and salt, and ammonia lightly applied and wiped with water can work. Just research any nickel plating cleaning solution but use judiciously on guitar parts.

The best 'guitar-approved' product for this task is Virtuoso Cleaner (complementary product to Virtuoso Polish) will do the job.

You can lightly apply polish including the auto polishes with carnauba wax for preventative protection but like anything electronic, light application that doesn't seep into the actual componentry is essential... Easy does it!
I've never used Flitz.
I think it comes in a tube, and most of those have an abrasive, however mild.
Again...not a problem on anything but vintage nickel.
Nevr-dull is wadding with a chemical and has no abrasive.
It's also great for removing gold plate.
Ask me how I know.
 

Tom310

New member
Joined
Jun 23, 2024
Messages
9
I've never used Flitz.
I think it comes in a tube, and most of those have an abrasive, however mild.
Again...not a problem on anything but vintage nickel.
Nevr-dull is wadding with a chemical and has no abrasive.
It's also great for removing gold plate.
Ask me how I know.
Thx for the info! :)
 

Jethro Rocker

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Joined
Nov 6, 2022
Messages
291
Sorry, late getting back.
My question was answered - no wiping down equals lots of sweaty crud in a real hurry. I use glass cleaner on mine.
Cheers
 
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