Sweat, dust, and skin oils build up on every guitar. Over time the finish gets dull, the frets get grimy, and the hardware starts to tarnish. A good cleaning and polish makes the guitar look better, feel better, and helps parts last longer.
Signs your guitar needs a cleaning
- The fretboard is dark and gunky near the frets
- The neck feels sticky instead of smooth
- Frets look dull or dark instead of shiny
- Bridge, tuners, or pickups are tarnished or rusty
- The finish looks hazy or has fingerprints that won’t wipe off
- The guitar came out of storage dusty or smelly
What’s included
- Strings removed so we can reach everything
- Fretboard deep cleaned, then conditioned if it’s rosewood or ebony
- Frets polished so bends feel smooth
- Body and neck finish cleaned and polished
- Bridge, saddles, tuners, and control plates cleaned
- Pickups and pickguard wiped down
- Fresh strings installed and tuned up
Cleaning for the right finish
Not every guitar gets the same treatment. Gloss finishes get a polish that brings back the shine. Satin finishes get cleaned without being buffed shiny. Raw or oiled necks get a light treatment that keeps them feeling smooth. We match the process to your instrument.
Add-ons that make sense
While the strings are off, it’s a good time to take care of other small things. Many customers add a guitar setup so it plays as good as it looks. If you see chips or dings in the finish, ask about finish touch-up. If the guitar is in rough shape overall, see restoration to playable.
Before selling or after buying
A cleaning is one of the easiest ways to make a used guitar look its best before you sell it. It’s also a smart first step after picking one up from a pawn shop or an online sale.
Why regular cleaning matters
Grime isn’t just cosmetic. Sweat and dirt on the fretboard dry out the wood and can lead to cracks and lifting fret ends. Salt from sweat corrodes frets, strings, and hardware, which makes tuning less stable and bends feel rough. Dirt in the tuners makes them stiff. A cleaning a couple of times a year, especially after a summer of gigs or practice in the heat, keeps your instrument playing smoothly and helps it hold its value.
Bring it in
Drop it off at the shop on Redcliff Drive in Redding. Cleanings are usually done in a day or two.
Guitar Cleaning and Polishing questions
Is cleaning included in a setup?
A setup includes a fretboard cleaning and a wipe down. A full cleaning and polish goes further, with hardware, frets, and the whole finish done in detail.
Will polishing hurt my finish?
No. We use products that are safe for the finish on your instrument, whether it's a gloss, satin, or oil finish.
Can you clean rust off my hardware?
Light rust and tarnish usually clean up well. Heavily pitted parts may be better replaced, and we'll let you know.