How To Prevent Guitar Strings From Rusting

Anything you use a lot wears down.

That is certainly the case with guitar strings.

And in addition to the wear and tear, you also have the issue of rust.

Guitar string rust easily, for a number of reasons.

We will cover those below, and then show you exactly how to prevent guitar strings from rusting going forward.

There are a number of simple measures to take to keep those strings rust-free for longer.

 

How To Prevent Guitar Strings From Rusting

Guitar strings are replaceable parts of your guitar. Not only do you wear them out in different ways, but metal strings are also very susceptible to rust.

They are far more sensitive than the metal hardware in an electric guitar, which is more robust, much better protected, and does not suffer nearly as much stress as the strings.

Any string set will only last a certain amount, but it’s almost impossible to say how long it takes until rust starts taking its toll. It depends on too many factors. The main factors are the properties of the strings, how often you play, and how well you take care of the strings.

In short, quality strings last much longer. And you can extend their life significantly with proper care. But if you play them every day, even the best strings will show signs of wear and, eventually, rust.

It’s simply due to the nature of the strings and the outside factors. The strings are made of metal, they suffer stress, and, most importantly, they are constantly exposed to humidity. It’s as simple as that.

 

Some All-Important Preventive Measures

In order to extend the life of your strings, you should start with the basics. It all comes down to how you treat your instrument and its strings. The first, and most important, thing to do is to just minimize humidity in all of its aspects.

First, start by properly storing your guitar. This is especially vital, if you living in a humid environment. I highly recommend keeping your instrument at room temperature and in its own isolated place, like a case.

If you are dealing with unusually high humidity, there are many different dehumidifiers to choose from. Silica gel bags are a simple option. You can change the bags every one to two years.

Next up, make sure that your hands are dry when you’re playing. If your hands tend to be sweaty, try to have a small towel with you and wipe them during the practice sessions or in between songs.

On top of that, also make sure that your hands are clean. Well, as clean as possible for a given setting. I always highly advise washing your hands thoroughly before playing. We’ll cover this in its own section below.

First, let’s talk about keeping your strings clean. Cleaning the strings after every practice session or gig is perhaps the most important measure to take

 

Keep Your Strings Clean

Even apart from the issue with rust, you should always take steps to keep your strings clean. This is probably the best preventive measure, since great hygiene will significantly extend their life.

After every practice session, jam session, or gig, simply wipe the strings down to remove any dirt, excess skin, and sweat from them.

This might feel like a chore, but once you get used to it, things will be much quicker. It will take you less than a minute to wipe the strings. Maybe even less than 30 seconds. But the benefits are very noticeable in the long term.

Not only will you end up saving on strings, especially if you play your instrument often, but the strings will also retain their sonic properties better and longer.

With dirt and moisture accumulating on wound strings, you’ll notice a change in tone. The strings will start to sound dull. This will only become more prominent with time, if you don’t clean the strings often.

And when you start seeing rust on there, even the slightest trace, it is already too late. The tone will start to suffer even more.

 

Clean Your Hands

It may not seem that serious, but sweat is a string killer. The same goes for any other moisture on your hands. We already mentioned having a towel with you, so that’s always a great idea for keeping your strings clean.

While we are not generally aware of it, there are usually some corrosive agents on our hands, too. Removing them will certainly help in the bigger picture.

As mentioned above, you should clean your hands thoroughly before any session with your guitar. Ideally, you should do the same procedure as with any manual labor, where your hands should stay clean.

Of course, don’t be too obsessive with it either, but make sure that they are not dirty. After you’re done washing our hands, dry them thoroughly. Make sure to remove any excess moisture on your hands with a towel, since it can be harmful to the strings.

 

Using Strings With Protective Coating

Apart from the measures already mentioned, one of the most effective ways to prevent rust is to use strings with protective coatings.

There are numerous brands out there that manufacture strings with different types of coatings. These are very thin, unnoticeable layers that keep the string safe from excess humidity.

There are different types of protective layers as well. And different brands and string manufacturers have also branded their special formulas. However, they’re all pretty much equally effective and can significantly extend the life of strings.

Of course, these layers aren’t permanent. With heavy use, they can wear out. And in some cases, you might even notice that they’re peeling off from the string.

This is pronounced with heavy usage. But certain string brands with these coatings can last even for about six months with heavy playing, even if you aren’t all that vigilant about cleaning the strings all the time.

If you have an instrument that you don’t play that often, quality strings with protective coatings can last for a very long time. With proper care, they could last for a few years even.

Obviously, these strings are more expensive. And there’s also a potential environmental impact in the production process of these protective coatings. It’s up to you to decide whether to use them or not, but they do make a big difference.

 

Proper Guitar Care

Finally, don’t forget to take care of your guitar and clean it with each restringing. As is the case with your hands, a lot of dirt accumulates on the guitar as well.

After removing the old strings, remove any excess dirt from your instrument and treat the fretboard with proper cleaning agents. While this is not a direct measure for keeping the strings from rusting, it will, in the long term, help to extend their life.

 

How To Keep Guitar Strings From Rusting: Final Thoughts

Preventing guitar strings from rusting requires a combination of proactive measures and proper care. By minimizing humidity, keeping hands and strings clean, and using strings with protective coatings, you can significantly extend the life of your strings.

Regular cleaning of the instrument and fretboard is also essential in maintaining the overall health of the guitar. These preventive measures, when consistently applied, can help you preserve the sonic properties of each set of strings instrument for a longer period, and save you money on string replacements.