The Best Way to Clean Gold-Plated Parts on a Guitar
- 1). Remove all of the gold hardware from the guitar. In general, all hardware can be removed using screwdrivers and small boxed-end wrenches. Electronics do not have to be removed, but if your guitar is equipped with metal-covered pickups, you will need to de-solder the covers from the bottom of the pickup with a de-soldering iron or a soldering iron with a de-solder bulb.
- 2). Clean the hardware in warm water with a mild dish soap. Use your fingers or cotton towel to clean the hardware. Do not use any abrasives such as scratch pads as these will scratch and dull the finish. All oils, dirt and residue should be removed while cleaning. Wipe the hardware clean with a cotton towel.
- 3). Polish the gold hardware with a precious metal rubbing compound and a cotton towel. This will remove oxidation and micro scratches that have dulled the finish. Polishing compound can be found at most jewelry retailers. Aggressive polishes should not be used as there is a risk of polishing through the gold plating.
- 4). Replace the hardware in the same manner that you removed it. To reattach the pickup covers, the covers must be soldered back into place.
