Floyd saddles rusting

[gproud5150]

Don't know if there is a thread for this or not. I did a search but didn't find anything. I have a 92 EVH model that I've actually played for the last 12 years, and despite my attempts to keep everything clean, the saddles on the E A and D string are rusting badly. Anyone have this problem? Any way to get the rust off without buying new saddles or a whole new tremolo? Thanks.

 

[PurpleSport]

I've used something called naval (not "navel" ) jelly for cleaning rust off stuff in the past, including some older guitar parts if applied sparingly with Q-tips and toothbrushes. It's pretty evil stuff on rust - and paint, and skin - but not sure if it'll do a number on other polished metal of the Floyd (you can kiss the chrome that's rusted/pitted off so far goodbye, though - nothing will bring that back, and you're gonna have unprotected bare metal no matter what you use to clean it with).

A better bet would be some of the German metal polishes that are out there. I got a big tube of some amazing stuff from Sam's Club about 10 years ago that was the consistency of toothpase that took rust off REALLY nicely, and it was really easy on the skin and other finished surfaces, including my guitar hardware. I cleaned up an entire motorcycle that I salvaged from a coastal Florida scrapyard with it, and it ate up that rust and oxidation like no tomorrow. Unfortunately, I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, and I've not seen it since, but I've seen some other miracle stuff like it here and there over the years (usually in those "As Seen On TV" stores) - all of it German origin. I think there's a whole industry devoted to miracle cleaners over there!

Perhaps some of our German/European friends can name some of these products, and you can call some hardware stores and ask around?

 

[gproud5150]

Thanks a lot for the info. I'll check around the good ole internet and hardware stores to see if I can find anything matching that description.

 

[PurpleSport]

Good news....I *think* I found the aforementioned polish!

The tube looks a bit different from what I remember as does the script on the logo (again, it's been several years since I first used it) but it sure sounds like the same stuff:

http://www.flitz.com/

Works great on a LOT of things, and it will provide a protective coating after application that will last several weeks. Look around online, looks like you can buy it from a lot of places!

NOTE: I do see from some online postings that it will remove bluing from gun barrels (it supposedly doesn't), so always test a small unseen area before you use it!

 

[Bassplyr]

And don't forget to call us in the morning!

 

[gproud5150]

I am forever in your debt! Thanks a lot. I'm going to order some of this right now.

 

[PurpleSport]

Glad to help - let us know how it works for you and where you got it from...and don't be surprised if you find yourself cleaning up a bunch of other stuff around the house with it!