How to Properly Clean and Maintain MSB Products

Here are the basics of cleaning and maintaining the finish on your MSB product. It might sound simple, but there are a few tips and tricks that will ensure your unit always looks as stunning as the day you unboxed it. In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll share our recommended tools, techniques, and finish-specific advice.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Having the right supplies will make the process go smoothly. Here is a list of the tools we use here at the factory:

  • A High-Pile Microfiber Towel. The most important tool for general cleaning. A good microfiber will gently lift dirt without scratching.
  • Isopropyl Alcohol (99% or higher): A high-percentage isopropyl alcohol for general cleaning and degreasing. This evaporates fast and won’t leave behind residue.
  • Mild Degreaser: For stubborn fingerprints or oily stains that alcohol won’t remove. We often use something like Simple Green. It’s safe on aluminum when used properly, and great for grime that needs extra help.
  • Compressed Air: A can of compressed air (or from an air compressor) to blast away dust and debris. This is extremely useful both at the start and end of cleaning.
  • Small Swabs or Soft Brush: Cotton swabs, foam swabs, or a soft, short-bristle paintbrush to get into tight corners, seams, and small details where a towel can’t reach.
  • Melamine Sponge (Magic Eraser): A “last resort” tool for very stubborn marks. Use this sparingly and gently – they are mildly abrasive (like super-fine sandpaper) and can dull the finish if overused.
  • (Optional) Stainless Steel Cleaner: If you have an older MSB unit with stainless steel base metal, a generic stainless steel cleaner will help polish those parts. These cleaners are usually oil-based, so have a separate towel for this and use it only on stainless parts.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

Now let’s go through the cleaning process step by step. Remember to keep it gentle and methodical for the best results.

Step 1: Prepare Your Product

Before cleaning, power down and unplug your MSB product. Never clean a device while it’s powered on or connected to electricity. This keeps you safe and protects your equipment. Also, make sure the unit is cool to the touch if it was recently in use. Removing cables and accessories will give you full access to all surfaces.

Step 2: Remove Loose Dust

Begin by using compressed air to blow off any loose dust or debris from the product’s surfaces, heatsinks, and crevices. Always start with compressed air – this prevents you from rubbing dust particles into the finish. Short bursts of air can dislodge dust from seams, screw holes, and other small gaps. If you don’t have canned air or air compressor, a gentle camera puffer or similar device works too.

Step 3: Wipe with Isopropyl Alcohol

Next, take your microfiber towel and lightly mist it with isopropyl alcohol. Do not spray liquids directly onto the product – spraying on the cloth gives you control and avoids any moisture seeping into buttons or openings. With the damp (not dripping) microfiber, gently wipe down all anodized aluminum surfaces of the chassis. Isopropyl 99% or higher is excellent for removing general dirt, fingerprints, and smudges without harming the anodized coating. Use light pressure and let the alcohol do the work – it will dissolve oils and evaporate quickly, leaving a clean, streak-free surface.

For tight areas and small details, switch to your swabs or soft brush:

  • Dip a cotton swab in a bit of isopropyl (or spray the swab tip) and swab around buttons, logo cutouts, the edges of display glass, and between jack panel connectors.
  • A soft paintbrush can be lightly misted with alcohol to dust out small holes or seams where even a swab can’t reach.
     Take your time detailing these areas. The goal is to lift dirt out, not grind it in.

Step 4: Tackle Stubborn Stains with Degreaser

If you encounter fingerprints, grease, or stains that isopropyl alcohol alone won’t remove, it’s time to use a mild degreaser. Apply a small amount of the degreaser to a clean section of your microfiber towel – again, don’t spray the product directly. Gently rub the trouble spot with the towel. Cleaners like Simple Green are effective on grime and have been used on aluminum surfaces for years. They can break down oils that alcohol might leave behind.

One important note: degreasers can sometimes leave a light residue or film on the surface. To ensure a perfect finish, follow up by wiping the area again with isopropyl alcohol on a fresh part of your microfiber. This secondary wipe will remove any residue and restore a streak-free shine. Essentially, use the degreaser for its cleaning power, then the alcohol for a final polish.

Step 5: Use a Melamine Sponge for Tough Marks (Carefully!)

For those extremely stubborn marks or blemishes that still persist (for example, a scuff or something that’s physically stuck to the surface), you can turn to the melamine sponge (Magic Eraser). This should be your last resort because of its abrasive nature. Melamine foam works like a micro-fine sandpaper, physically wearing away the mark.

Keep in mind, using a Magic Eraser too aggressively can dull or cloud an anodized surface – essentially buffing away the sheen along with the stain. So, use just enough pressure to remove the mark and then stop. After using the sponge, wipe the area again with your alcohol-dampened microfiber towel to remove any residue from the sponge and to restore the uniform finish.

Step 6: Final Touches – Dry Buff and Dust Off

At this stage, your MSB product should be clean. As a final touch, take a dry, clean microfiber towel (ensure it has no cleaner on it) and give all surfaces a gentle buff. This helps even out the sheen, especially on Alodine-coated surfaces which sometimes can look slightly foggy or streaky after cleaning. A dry buff will bring back their uniform luster if needed.

Lastly, give the unit another quick round of compressed air. Blow out any lint from the towel or swab fibers that might be lingering in crevices or around buttons. This leaves your device completely clean and free of any debris. 

Cleaning Different MSB Finishes

MSB products feature a few different types of surface finishes – the most common being anodized aluminum and Alodine (chem-film) on aluminum, with some units featuring stainless steel panels, plus accents like glass displays or gold-plated trim. The general cleaning steps above apply to all, but here are some finish-specific notes to ensure the best care:

Anodized Aluminum (Colored Chassis Parts)

Anodizing is the colored coating you’ll find on most MSB chassis components – for example, the main body panels of your DAC or amplifier. All colored surfaces (black, silver, etc.) are anodized for protection. Older MSB models tend to have a smoother, satin anodized surface, while newer products (like the Cascade DAC) feature a slightly coarser textured anodizing. In fact, with the Cascade we introduced a new “optical black” anodizing process – it has a matte texture from a chemical etch and holds its deep black color longer even in sunlight. This more premium finish looks fantastic, though you might notice it feels different to the touch and can be a bit more challenging to clean thoroughly (the fine texture can trap a bit more dust).

Cleaning Anodized Surfaces: The good news is that the cleaning procedure is the same for both old and new anodized finishes. Use compressed air first, then wipe with isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber towel. For any stubborn spots, use a mild degreaser on the towel, then follow with alcohol to avoid residue. Swabs help for grooves or logo engravings, and if a mark still won’t budge, a very gentle rub with the melamine sponge can be done (with caution). Typically, anodized aluminum is very durable – it won’t rust or tarnish – so regular dusting and the occasional alcohol wipe is enough to keep it looking like new. If you used a degreaser, remember to do a final alcohol wipe to prevent any film. And if the surface looks a bit dull after heavy cleaning, a dry microfiber buff will restore the uniform sheen.

Alodine Coating (Silver/Gold-Tinted Aluminum)

Some MSB components use a finish called Alodine (also known as chromate conversion coating). You can identify Alodined parts by their silver or pale gold color with a shiny, sometimes slightly iridescent machined texture. These are usually parts like base plates, rear jack panels, or internal chassis pieces. Alodine provides basic corrosion protection and a conductive surface (often used on the underside or back parts of the product).

Cleaning Alodined Surfaces: You can clean Alodine-coated parts exactly the same way as anodized parts – compressed air, then alcohol on a towel, and degreaser for any stains, followed by alcohol again. One extra tip we’ve found: if an Alodined surface looks slightly hazy or streaky after cleaning and drying, take a dry microfiber towel and gently buff the surface. This dry buffing can eliminate the faint foggy look and bring out a more even, satin shine. The Alodine coating is thin, so avoid heavy scrubbing (stick to the gentle methods we’ve outlined). Usually, a quick buff is all that’s needed to make an Alodined panel look uniformly clean again.

Stainless Steel Parts (Older Models)

On some older MSB units, you might find stainless steel covers or panels – often used for the base metal. Stainless steel parts are typically glossy or brushed silver in appearance (not gold-tinted, which would be Alodine, and not colored, which would be anodized). If your device has stainless steel sections, you can still start by trying the standard microfiber with alcohol or degreaser to clean them. Often, this will do the job for basic smudges or fingerprints.

However, stainless steel can sometimes show streaks or fingerprints that are tough to fully remove with just alcohol. In these cases, we recommend using a dedicated stainless steel cleaner:

  • Spray the stainless steel cleaner onto a separate microfiber towel (do not get it on other anodized/alodined parts). These cleaners are often oil-based, designed to lift dirt and leave a protective film.
  • Wipe the stainless steel surface with this towel, going with the grain if it’s brushed steel. It should eliminate stubborn streaks and give the steel a nice polished look.
  • Avoid touching other parts of the chassis with the oil from the stainless cleaner. If any oil-based cleaner does get onto adjacent aluminum surfaces (anodized or Alodined parts), don’t worry. Simply use a bit of degreaser on a towel, then alcohol, alternating as needed, to lift the oil off those areas. This will remove any greasy residue and restore a clean finish.

Always finish by buffing the stainless part with a clean dry section of towel, so it’s not left overly oily (some slight protective film is okay, but you don’t want it attracting dust).

Glass Displays and Gold-Plated Accents

Finally, let’s address the most delicate surfaces you may have: glass display panels (like your unit’s front screen) and any gold-plated trim on the product. These parts require minimal handling to avoid scratches or damage:

  • Touch them as little as possible. For example, a display really only needs cleaning if you see fingerprints or dust on it. Gold plating, being a thin layer of gold, should be handled sparingly as it’s softer and can show wear if over-polished.
  • When you do clean these, use only a very soft, clean microfiber cloth (or lens cleaning cloth). Lightly dampen the cloth with isopropyl alcohol – just a small amount is enough. Never spray liquid directly on a display or gold trim, and avoid any dripping.
  • Gently wipe the glass or gold surface with virtually no pressure. A gentle pass will remove fingerprints. Do not rub vigorously or frequently. The idea is to clean only what’s necessary, then stop. If a bit of grime is stubborn on glass, you can apply slightly more pressure on a second pass – but do not use abrasive sponges or harsh cleaners on these parts.
  • If dust is the only issue, sometimes a burst of compressed air can clear a display or a gold-plated logo without any contact at all. That’s the safest method for simple dust.

By being extra gentle with displays and gold-plated sections, you’ll avoid hairline scratches or wearing off any coatings. They should shine just as intended with only mild cleaning.

Quick Recap and Best Practices

Let’s quickly recap the key points to remember when cleaning your MSB product:

  • Start with the least aggressive methods: always begin by blowing off dust with compressed air and wiping with a microfiber lightly dampened with 99% isopropyl alcohol. This combo handles the vast majority of cleaning needs.
  • Work up in stages if needed: if alcohol isn’t enough, try a mild degreaser on the cloth, then wipe off any residue with alcohol. For the most stubborn marks, carefully use a melamine Magic Eraser – but only as a last resort and very gently. Often, a bit of patience and repeated gentle cleaning is safer than aggressive scrubbing.
  • Spray onto the towel, not onto the product: This is a golden rule. Whether it’s alcohol, degreaser, or any cleaner – apply it to your cloth or swab not directly on the unit. This prevents cleaners from seeping into seams, connectors, or display edges, and gives you more control.
  • Mind the finishes: Regular anodized or Alodine aluminum surfaces are tough and clean up nicely with the above steps. If you have stainless steel parts, use a dedicated cleaner and separate cloth for those. And remember, glass screens and gold trim need only minimal, gentle cleaning.
  • Keep it gentle and don’t overdo it: It’s best not to over-clean any part of your device. You want it clean, but scrubbing harder or more often than necessary can do more harm than good. Follow the steps, use good judgment, and your MSB product will stay looking its best.
  • Safety first: Always turn off and unplug your device before cleaning, and ensure everything is dry before powering back on. Also, avoid getting any moisture inside the unit.

By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure your MSB audio components remain cosmetically flawless and well-maintained for years. We built these products with pride, and with a little care they can truly stay “as good as new.”

If you have any questions or need additional information, visit our MSB community forums to ask – we’re always here to help. Now that your gear is spotless, sit back, relax, and enjoy the music!