how to clean up an old rusty guitar?

[oh_the_blood]

i just got this great deal from my friend,
his MIM telecaster with a hot rail pickup...

the kicker is, the guitar is all rusty n junk, but it does work.

how can i get rid of the rust and make this telecaster beautiful once again?

 

[steve350]

I swear by this stuff for any metal parts on your guitars:

http://www.collectorssecret.com/maas.html

I use the tube of polish and the tube of protector on the metal of all of my vintage stuff.

 

[AlfredB]

use naphta (=zippo lighter fluid) ... this should get rid of pretty much all the goo on there - and does NOT harm your finish... if your hardware doesnt really clean up, google for "nev'r dull" ...

then use lemon oil for the fretboard ... if you dont have any mayor paint chips - chances are you will get the guitar in "like new" condition.

If you buy fender/gibson/whatever-brand guitar care kits - its the same you just pay like 300% more for packaging

cheers
alfred

 

[gibsonguy09]

where is the rust? Their was some rust on the mounting brackets for pickguard, etc. on my gibson. I used naval jelly, it worked and got it off.

 

[bileshake]

Speaking of which, does anyone know where you can order stainless replacement screws for all your guitar needs. ie... ibanez pickguard screws!

 

[lpdeluxe]

Another good product for buffing up metal is Nevr-Dull. A lot of hardware stores carry it. I discovered it back when I was racing motorcycles [before you were born] and a fellow racer who had been in Navy Aviation told me they used the stuff to shine those silver jets to a chrome-like sheen.
http://www.nevrdull.com/
For stainless steel screws, check out Warmoth:
http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/parts.cfm?fuseaction=include_screws

 

[ggunn]

For stainless steel screws, check out Warmoth:
http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/parts/parts.cfm?fuseaction=include_screws

Wow, they are proud of those screws, aren't they? A quarter apiece for little wood screws is pretty pricey.

 

[SteveK]

For rusted hardware, the best treatment is to take it apart if possible and let the pieces soak in some WD-40. The rust will be more easily removed after they soak for a bit. If it's the frets or hardware that is tarnished, I wholeheartedly agree that Maas polish is phenomenal stuff. And a little goes a long way...I bought 2 tubes of Maas 3 years ago, and still have almost two full tubes!

 

[ez_willis]

Here's a link to a parts supplier.

 

[oh_the_blood]

and that is why HR.com/bbs people are absolutely amazing.

 

[gibsonguy09]

Speaking of which, does anyone know where you can order stainless replacement screws for all your guitar needs. ie... ibanez pickguard screws!

did you try ordering them from ibanez? I know that you can order replacement parts like pickguards adn stuff so i would think you should be able to.

 

[mtjames]

why clean it up? i guess it's just my personal preference, but i love the character of years of rust and dirt. if it sounds good, i would just play it. but that's probably just my rat-bike ethic showing... don't mind me

 

[oh_the_blood]

its just kinda gross.
i want my tele to shine.

 

[faderbug]

its just kinda gross.
i want my tele to shine.

it's not the guitar that should shine but you while playing it.