How to clean guitar hardware - oxidation

[bbaug14]

Backstory - just sold a couple items to finance a new guitar purchase. Ended up going for a used Gibson Les Paul Limited Edition. Got the guitar yesterday. The guitar is nearly dead mint. However, the person who owned it before me looks like they just left it on a stand for three years without ever touching it. It doesn't have a nick or scratch to speak of, but the hardware is looking pretty worn and old due to oxidation from sitting so long without cleaning. My question for you guys is, do you know of a way to clean up the oxidation on hardware and get the pickup covers, tuners, bridge, etc. shining like new again? Thanks!!

 

[vchizzle]

I use Flitz polish on my stuff and it works pretty well. Depending on how bad it is, it may not make it new looking but should improve it pretty nicely. All my hardware is nickel, not sure if you can use it on gold hardware or not.

 

[Anonymous]

Lighter fluid... soak it in that for about a couple hours or so and then try to clean what you can off. It works!

 

[IHateRap]

I've been wondering if an ultrasonic cleaner would work on guitar parts etc:

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-u ... 95563.html

 

[Inquisitor]

last I heard from a local luthier, a bottle of coke will do the trick. Made me laugh and then pause and think about actually dropping my bridge in there.

Realize I like the crusty bridge and pickup look. That way nobody wants to touch it (or steal it) ha ha. And I need to get the shitty excuse for black paint they put on my hardware faster anyway.

 

[Anonymous]

I hate to be repetitive here, but lighter fluid is one of the best methods out there to use... its also a great degreaser! Go ahead and try it out!

 

[dannybg]

The Coke solution works. 24 hours of soaking an oxidized gold plated control knob in a glass of Coca Cola worked great. Do Not drink the Coke afterwards. Or even before. Considering how it cuts through oxidation, imagine what it does to your stomach.

 

[rlord1974]

last I heard from a local luthier, a bottle of coke will do the trick. Made me laugh and then pause and think about actually dropping my bridge in there.

Ah, the magical powers of Coke.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2eEw26J ... re=related