Question on rust and corrosion

[65-mustang]

Had some rust and corrosion one the bridge and fret or two. Did some research and found that bartenders friend and dry lube or steel wool #0000 was suggested. Is that the way to go? The rust is in the groove of the saddle. It looks worse than the second pic shows.

Thanks in advance

 

[Kaffeine_oo7]

I’d probably use the 0000 steel wool on the frets that need it (put tape over the pickups to keep the steel wool dust off them) and use a good quality gun oil or similar and a toothbrush to see if the saddles will come clean.

 

[Papa Joe]

I'm one that believes that steel wool has no place on a guitar..I've used it and found it to be more of a problem than a help..
For the saddles, I'd remove them and soak them in cleansing vinegar..
I'm sure there are other products that will work as well..
The frets will clean up by dressing them down with sand paper..

 

[RoyalWe]

I personally never minded rust on hardware. Frets, yeah clean that up. There’s a product called gorgomyte that has good reviews, I’ve never used it personally though. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9K386E/?tag=squiertalk-20

 

[strat_strummer]

Steel wool leaves tiny fibers that the pup magnets pick up. I would stay away from it personally.

 

[Papa Joe]

Steel wool leaves tiny fibers that the pup magnets pick up. I would stay away from it personally.

That and it also is difficult to remove (completely) from the Fret board and finish..
And it's not the best thing to inhale..

 

[Lonn]

I use 0000 steel wool on my frets but I take the neck outside to do it. I’d use it on those saddles for sure. I tore down my latest strat this morning, here’s the bridge plate before and after using WD40 and a toothbrush.

 

[ElRey67]

Rust/corrosion = character

I leave it alone on mine

 

[dbrian66]

I'm one that believes that steel wool has no place on a guitar.

I agree. The steel wool will clean it up, but there are other things that work just as good, if not better, and don’t have the negative effects. I like to use Nevr-dull.



This stuff works great and it’s really easy. Here are a couple before and after pics of a bridge I cleaned up.







And frets, I like to use sand paper. Progressive grits of 600, 1500, 2500, and then automotive rubbing compound. They will shine bright and be smooth as a baby’s bottom.

 

[TimTheViking]

If I were going to clean off rust, I'd want the result to be a close to new as possible. That means removing it while causing the least visible damage possible. On plated parts, I first try a magic eraser and go from there. Steel wool and Scotch-Brites leave their mark behind so I only use those on parts that don't show.

 

[Smith357]

Clean with Bronze brush and Ed's Red Bore cleaner, protect with Renaissance Wax

 

[porkpie]

I agree. The steel wool will clean it up, but there are other things that work just as good, if not better, and don’t have the negative effects. I like to use Nevr-dull.

View attachment 125031

This stuff works great and it’s really easy. Here are a couple before and after pics of a bridge I cleaned up.

View attachment 125028

View attachment 125030

View attachment 125029

And frets, I like to use sand paper. Progressive grits of 600, 1500, 2500, and then automotive rubbing compound. They will shine bright and be smooth as a baby’s bottom.

Nevr Dull works great, been using it for years.

 

[65-mustang]

Thanks all for the direction. Turns out I had a few of the items discussed. Took off the strings and bridge/saddles.

For the bridge the magic eraser worked. That thing shines now.
On the neck I used gorgomyte. I had one on hand. I suspect the rust was not that serious. Again now the neck looks great.
For the saddles the magic eraser could now touch the crud so thought I would get some never dull.

By the way that magic eraser works well on the wall to take off those irritating scuff marks.

Thanks again!