How to Clean a Bass Drum Pedal
Bass drum pedals are more prone to dirt and grime build-up than other parts of a drum kit. Bass drum pedals sit on the floor -- the floors are filthy in some venues -- and the drummer plays them with his or her foot. Routinely cleaning the pedal is a good habit to develop. Dirty pedals are not only unsightly, but dirt and grime can interfere with the functioning of the pedal's moving parts. Cleaning a bass drum pedal is a simple procedure that takes only a few minutes.
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Things You'll Need
- Microfiber cloths
- Fine steel wool
- Petroleum-based lubricant
- Drum polish or commercial metal polish
- Polishing cloth
Instructions
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Wipe the pedal with a microfiber cloth after the gig. Dirt and grime accumulate on the pedal during a show. Wiping the pedal after every gig prevents the dirt and grime from settling and building up on the pedal. Wipe off any water or other liquid that spills on the pedal right away to prevent future rust problems.
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Clean more stubborn grime and dirt with a wet microfiber cloth. Dry the pedal with a second microfiber cloth. Avoid storing the pedal, as well as other drum hardware, in a damp or moist area.
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3
Scrub rusted areas with steel wool. If the rust is not removed it will spread and corrode the pedal. Rust removers can damage the chrome on the pedal. Steel wool may also leave tiny scratches in the chrome. Go over any scratches with very fine steel wool (000).
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4
Lubricate all the moving parts of the pedal with a petroleum-based product. Lubrication keeps the pedal from squeaking and allows it to operate more efficiently.
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Polish the pedal with a clean cloth and drum polish, which is available at music stores or online. Commercial metal polish works as well.
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