Guitar Tuners, especially vintage-style covered tuners, are crucial for maintaining your instrument’s intonation and playability. While the covers on these tuners might suggest a sealed environment, they are often not completely airtight. Dust, grime, and old lubricant can still find their way inside, leading to stiffness and tuning instability. This guide will walk you through the process of cleaning and lubricating these covered guitar tuners to restore their smooth operation and extend their lifespan.
Before we begin, it’s important to understand that these covered tuners, often made from pressed steel, have small gaps that allow for debris accumulation. Fortunately, many feature a small hole on the back, which we can utilize for cleaning and lubrication. We’ll be using naphtha, a solvent effective for cleaning but also flammable and harmful if inhaled or ingested. Therefore, safety precautions are paramount. Ensure you are working in a well-ventilated area, ideally outdoors, wear safety glasses, and dispose of used materials responsibly.
The first step in cleaning is to gently warm the tuner. A little heat helps to soften any old, hardened grease inside, making it easier to flush out. You can use a radiator or even a hairdryer on a low setting, being cautious not to overheat plastic tuner buttons. Once warmed, use a syringe or pipette to carefully inject naphtha through the hole in the tuner casing. Be prepared for potential splashback and continue injecting while gently turning the tuner button. You should observe old grease and dirt being flushed out with the naphtha. Repeat this process until the tuner action starts to feel smoother.
If a simple flush isn’t sufficient, consider soaking the tuner. Submerge the entire tuner casing in a container of naphtha and let it sit for a day. This prolonged soak will help to dissolve stubborn grime. After soaking, attempt the naphtha flush again. In most cases, this should significantly improve the tuner’s movement.
As a last resort, if cleaning methods fail, you might consider attempting to open the tuner casing. Look for small tabs around the front plate of the tuner that might be bent over to secure the cover. However, proceed with extreme caution. Removing and especially reinstalling the cover can be challenging and may cause damage. This step should only be considered when all other options have been exhausted.
Once the tuner is thoroughly cleaned and moves freely, ensure all naphtha has evaporated before proceeding to lubrication. For lubrication, you have a couple of options. A light machine oil like Tri-Flow is excellent for providing smooth action. Apply just a single drop through the hole onto the worm gear. Turning the button will distribute the oil to the pinion gear. You can also apply a tiny drop at the tuner post bearing points, where the post meets the tuner housing.
Alternatively, you could use grease for lubrication. While grease can attract dust over time, in the semi-sealed environment of a covered tuner, this is less of a concern. Grease can offer longer-lasting lubrication. However, for most guitar tuners, a light oil is usually sufficient and preferred.
In conclusion, cleaning and lubricating your guitar tuners is a straightforward maintenance task that can significantly improve your guitar’s tuning stability and overall playing experience. By following these steps, you can revitalize your covered guitar tuners, ensuring they function smoothly for years to come. Regular maintenance of your guitar tuners will contribute to consistent tuning and a more enjoyable playing experience.
