Is it bad to spray anti-dust spray on my steel?

Dave Stroud · Post by **Dave Stroud** » 1 Feb 2016 5:12 pm

I want to spray endust on the pickup and near the tuning keys to clear out the dust.

Dave Stroud · Post by **Dave Stroud** » 1 Feb 2016 5:15 pm

Here it is. I'm at the store, should I get it??

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 1 Feb 2016 5:39 pm

I use that stuff all the time on everything. Just make sure you don't shake the can. The sppray will be very wet. Not good. But it should be no problem other-wise.

Dave Stroud · Post by **Dave Stroud** » 1 Feb 2016 5:49 pm

Great! Cause I already bought it

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Feb 2016 4:30 pm

Richard Sinkler wrote:I use that stuff all the time on everything. Just make sure you don't shake the can. The sppray will be very wet. Not good. But it should be no problem other-wise.

Richard, those cans say "moisture free" right on the label!? Any wetness you're seeing should be just condensation from the pressure release, and that can be reduced or eliminated by not holding the nozzle so close to the item being sprayed.

For cleaning changers and keyheads, I use "floral ties", which can be bought at any craft store. These are like big, fat pipe cleaners, and they're great for removing dust and dirt from nooks and crannies.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 2 Feb 2016 8:22 pm

Donny Hinson wrote:
Richard Sinkler wrote:I use that stuff all the time on everything. Just make sure you don't shake the can. The sppray will be very wet. Not good. But it should be no problem other-wise.
Richard, those cans say "moisture free" right on the label!? Any wetness you're seeing should be just condensation from the pressure release, and that can be reduced or eliminated by not holding the nozzle so close to the item being sprayed.

For cleaning changers and keyheads, I use "floral ties", which can be bought at any craft store. These are like big, fat pipe cleaners, and they're great for removing dust and dirt from nooks and crannies.

The stuff I use also says it's moisture free too, but in reality, it's not. In the directions, it says:

Can must be held in an upright position while spraying. Do not tilt can beyond a 40 degree angle, or shake during use. Before use, press actuator to clear valve of any liquid product".

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 3 Feb 2016 5:25 am

Another use for the compressed air can is to force glue into a crack in wood you are clamping. Post if you have any other uses for this?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 3 Feb 2016 6:01 am

Richard, in that case, the "liquid" is probably freon. Freon is sometimes used on electronics because it's a good cleaner and degreaser. It's not moisture in the common sense because it doesn't contain water, and it evaporates fairly quickly. But freon liquid may soften some adhesives (like the contact cement used to glue on fretboards and bindings), so it shouldn't be used where these glues are present.

When I worked in the space industry, we bought freon by the drum, for cleaning chassis and printed wiring boards. But they switched to electronics-grade alcohol (methanol) because it was less hazardous to humans.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 3 Feb 2016 7:17 am

Not all liquids are wet. The canned propellants don't have water and the liquids aren't wet, but they're wasteful, as they're about 4 times as dense

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Feb 2016 8:32 am

You have to be careful. I knew a mandolin player who used it on a very expensive Gibson mandolin and he wound up having to refinish it. The air that comes out of those can is quite cold and it cracked the lacquer on his mandolin.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 3 Feb 2016 10:59 am

I was aware that it is probably freon (because it is so cold), but I didn't know the characteristics of it as you guys explained. I am a little smarter today. I learned the hard way about the liquid shooting out, because I was using it to blow the stuff that accumulates between the keys of my keyboard. Since it lies flat, I tilted the can more than they say is acceptable. It still didn't stop me from using it.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 3 Feb 2016 1:56 pm

Erv,
Good point, and I was just going to bring it up. I'd spray some on my arm before spraying on the guitar. Cold enough, and it will crack the lacquer!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Feb 2016 2:03 pm

John,
It might be OK on a mica guitar but I sure wouldn't use in on a lacquered one.

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 3 Feb 2016 2:22 pm

Right Erv!
Once lacquer is really set up, it doesn't flex, it just cracks into flakes. Had to refinish a late 20's 5-string Mastertone Grenada, after a cold walk back to the dorm from a coffee house in Kent. Broke my heart. A hard lesson!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Feb 2016 2:34 pm

John,
The same thing happened to me with an old Fender Precision Bass.
Darn these Minnesota Winters!!!

Ron Funk · Post by **Ron Funk** » 3 Feb 2016 9:15 pm

Not being fond of using spray cleansers on my steel, I found one of these recently at local music store - around ten bucks or so

Brush is great for cleaning at Pegheads, Changers, etc.

Micro Fiber 'stick' is great for cleaning both sides of strings plus fret boards.

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 4 Feb 2016 11:53 am

When I was working at McCabes back in the 70's, a guy came in with a Gibson F5 mandolin that he'd coated with Varilux bar finish. He complained about the lack of tone, and asked us if we could refinish it. Since Varilux soaks all the way into the grain of the wood, the F5 couldn't be refinished. When he asked us what he could do with it, the consensus was that it'd make a nice lamp.

Russell Adkins · Post by **Russell Adkins** » 5 Feb 2016 2:21 pm

I use a soft brush for cleaning my pedal steel a 1 or 2 inch brush made of really soft material will clean in tight spots and wont scratch your finish , works great for me , . russ

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 5 Feb 2016 5:18 pm

And don't use it as a substitute for dental floss. When that stuff hits a cavity, OUCH!!!!

Next stop:

Sorry guys. Had to do it.