Guitar Cleaning

[Squid_uk]

Heys guys,

On my guitar where there is metal of any kind ie pick-ups, tuning pegs, bridge etc there seems to be loads of small spots,

I have tries wiping the areas with a cloth but this did not remove them, so i tried using some brass polish this did get rid of some of the spots but also remove the paint from the area!

Anybody know what this is and if there are any cleaning products that i could get hold of in the UK that might get rid of this problem?

I can post pics if you would like to see the problem

[Nelson37]

Either corrosion or the chrome is flaking off. If the polish removed it, then its rust or some variant. Buff and rub, Buff and rub, protect the painted areas.

Be careful around the pickups that no liquid gets inside, and that the polish is completely cleaned off.

Do you live near Salt Water? If so, you need to store the instrument carefully with some of those de-humidifying packets, or you'll be doing this constantly.

Check the strings as well, probably the same damage on them. This can cause them to break under stress, as in playing or tuning, putting your eye out is a distinct possibility.

[hech54]

I have a 29 year old Gibson Les Paul that has almost impeccable hardware on it. The stop tailpiece, pickup covers and bridge all look like new. The finish on the (back of the) neck is about 40% GONE but it doesn't effect the playability.
Some guitars are better than others...plain and simple fact.

[Squid_uk]

Nelson i do live near salt water, the island i live on it only 3.5 miles by 1.5 miles!

Is there any particular paint i could use to restore the colour? Also would you recommened any particular cleaning products? I gave been looking at some of the Ernie Ball stuff but having trouble trying to find it in the UK

[hech54]

For metal cleaning "in a pinch"...try toothpaste.
Seriously...it works great.

[ZAPPER]

I aint no expert, but that never stopped me from talking!

First I would try to avoid any cleaners with abrasives. Try plain and simple alcohol or a Tarn ex type liquid on the metal parts. It will most likely require a complete disassembly of the machine to get at all of the parts and nooks and crannies. Then I would look into a protective finish like maybe a clear lacquer spray or maybe just a silicone spray. I would have thought that most high polished stuff today came with some sort of protective "Quartermasters lacquer" already on it, go figure. At any rate metal left exposed to moisture will react, add a catylist like salt and it will react faster. Add some kind of protective barrier either a hard one like lacquer or a soft one like silicone or oil or wax. You could always move to the desert.

Good Luck

[Nelson37]

It's has been a very long time ago, but I seem to recall Brasso, you want a Polish, NO ABRASIVE.

Disassembly mandatory to do a good job.

Salt Water is hell on this stuff. Protective coatings are less protective on less expensive instruments, however nothing will stand up to salt air. Nothing. Dehumidify, absorbent cloth cover, constant polish and/or wax, continous care is the only answer.

Paint for an electric doesn't really matter, anything for touch-up then lacquer for shine, polish for protection.

Once you take it completely apart, clean and buff, put it back together and get everything right, the protective steps won't seem so bad. Strings you just replace more often. They will be prone to snap while tuning, the first one that comes close to your eye, you will understand.

[smearbrick1]

Leave the guitar soiled. Nothing says "rebellious rocker" like a dirty axe.

[ZAPPER]

Leave the guitar soiled. Nothing says "rebellious rocker" like a dirty axe.

And for those really tough stains, just smash it into the drum kit!

[hummer]

For metal cleaning "in a pinch"...try toothpaste.
Seriously...it works great.

And you are rigth but its like this what kinda of guitar do you have ? because if you have a expensive guitar ( fender,gibson,prs etc ) just take the guitar to a luthier or a local music store that have a guitar care professional. I also advise you the next things check you storage area in the , living room etc ...do you have mold in one of this rooms ??? also if i play you guitar you should change your strings every 2 months , if you play time to time change your strings every 6 months .
Maybe also yor guitar needs to be refreted.


Cheers