Is Dean Markley PFAS-free?
Across 8 graded products, Dean Markley averages C (79/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 6 of its products grade C or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from Dean Markley C or better, safest first
Dean Markley
Electric Guitar Strings
Steel alloy strings (nickel-plated or stainless steel core)
Lower PFAS concern, steel strings lack typical PFAS applications, but no brand disclosure exists.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Dean Markley
2562 Blue Steel Electric Guitar Strings Medium
Nickel-plated steel core; hexagonal wrap (likely nickel-plated steel or stainless)
Lower PFAS concern, metal strings without known Teflon-family coating coatings.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Dean Markley
Blackhawk Acoustic Guitar Strings
Bronze-wound steel strings, phosphor bronze or nickel alloy wraps
Lower PFAS concern, steel and bronze guitar strings are commodity materials with no known treatment vectors for PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Dean Markley
Signature Series Electric Guitar Strings
Nickel-plated steel strings
Lower PFAS concern; guitar strings are not a known PFAS application, but no brand transparency.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Dean Markley
NickelSteel Electric Guitar Strings
Nickel-plated steel wire
Lower PFAS concern; standard metal guitar strings rarely treated with fluorochemicals.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Dean Markley
2008 Vintage Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings
Phosphor bronze wound on steel core
Lower PFAS concern, bronze/steel strings have no known fluorine-dependent coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Graded and flagged D and F, we’d swap these
Dean Markley
Blackhawk Coated Electric Guitar Strings
Steel strings with proprietary coated finish (composition unspecified)
Skip until Dean Markley discloses the coating chemistry or provides third-party testing.
⚠Undisclosed proprietary coating
Dean Markley
Blackhawk Coated Electric Guitar Strings Medium 11-49
Steel strings with proprietary "Blackhawk" coating (composition unspecified)
Coating composition is proprietary and undisclosed; PFAS risk unclear but unconfirmed.
⚠Undisclosed proprietary coating
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →