If your pedal falls into water or has liquid spilled on it, unplug power and get it out of the water as soon as possible. The main risk is a short circuit if it is powered on while wet, which can cause permanent damage to components. Once it dries, there is a risk from dirt or residue left over after the water evaporates.
Basic steps
- Get it out of the water as soon as possible.
- Unplug power immediately.
- Unplug USB and audio cables.
- Remove the bottom plate using a Phillips head screwdriver.
- Gently shake it to get the water out, then use a cloth or paper towel to remove as much of the remaining water as possible.
- If the pedal fell into salt water or muddy water (or beer), carefully rinse it with fresh water, or isopropyl alcohol (91% or 99%).
- Use a soft close to dry the exterior, gently patting it dry to avoid damaging the finish.
- Spray the circuit boards and jacks with a can of compressed air, holding it upright to spray only air (not the freezing liquid).
- Thoroughly dry the pedal for 24-48 hours, using one of these techniques:
- Place the pedal (with bottom plate removed) in a closed tupperware container or zip lock bag with uncooked rice or silica gel packets (the "do not eat" ones) for 24 hours, turning it occasionally.
- Leave the pedal in a well-ventilated area to dry. Using a small fan will speed up the process.
- After 24-48 hours, plug in the pedal and thoroughly test it. If it does not work, or if it turns on but does not act normally, we recommend sending it to us or an authorized repair center to have it looked at.
If the pedal was inundated with dirty or sticky liquid, disassemble it and clean both circuit boards with isopropyl alcohol or fresh water. 91% or 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is a good way to clean circuit boards, because it flushes out water, helps dissolve dirt or residue, and evaporates quickly. If that is not available, 70% isopropyl alcohol or fresh water is an alternative. You want to get rid of the dirty liquid before it dries. Do not let IPA or water get into the potentiometer or switch bodies, just rinse the circuit board and allow the IPA to flow underneath them.
A great way to clean circuit boards is to take a plastic sandwich container, fill it with 99% IPA, place the circuit board in it, and gently shake it back and forth so that the IPA washes over the board. For boards with pots and switches, use just enough IPA so that it covers the circuit board and flows under the bodies of the pots and switches. Circuit boards without pots and switches can be submersed in isopropyl alcohol.