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Post subject: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:36 am
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So I just bought a 76 Mustang. Its in really good shape but all the shiny parts are a little tarnished. What would be a good method to use to clean up things like saddles, bridge, tuning machines, screws and so on? Is there something I could soak them in that would take care of the tarnish? What about some of the pitting in the larger parts like the plate below the tone and volume controls? Automotive chrome cleaner? This is really my first vintage purchase so I am just not sure how to do this safely. I want to take it apart and get it all cleaned up then off to my tech it goes for a good set up. Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:42 am
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I don't know, but posting some pictures would help the pros tell you what's up.

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Post subject: Re: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:23 am
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The majority of the parts you mentioned have a chrome finish, so for tarnish, auto chrome polish will work just fine. Pitted chrome, however is a different story. The only way you can get rid of that is to have the parts re-chromed or try to find replacements (which would be the least expensive way out).

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Post subject: Re: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:47 am
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What about using Tarnx or something for the tuning machines, saddles and so on?


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Post subject: Re: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:44 am
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Tarnish is one thing, pitting is another. A chrome finish is a layer of one metal over another. In the case of chrome, tarnish is when the chrome layer of metal gets dull due to whatever is floating around in the air, dust, water, smoke, etc.; or whatever the metal comes in contact with - oil from your skin if you touch it. Clean the crap off and it's bright and shiny again.
Any type of polish you use puts a protective coat over the metal.
Pitting on the other hand, is when the chrome starts to break down. It'll first appear as dots, and as the problem persists, it'll start to separate from the base metal... it'll peel like old paint. Polish won't work.

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Post subject: Re: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:09 am
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Carburetor cleaner will get rid of any gunk. Then any good chrome polish for the chrome parts, and a very thin coat of 'Breakfree' on screws and such.

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Post subject: Re: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:05 pm
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Fender, as well as a few other guitar makers, are charging a lot of money for "Road Worn" guitars. It seems many folks like that worn in, used look. You've got the real deal here.

Think of it as character. Clean her up and get her sounding good, but there is something to be said for the patina of age on a classic guitar, too.

Well, my two cents, anyways.

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Post subject: Re: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:32 pm
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M*Campbell wrote:
Fender, as well as a few other guitar makers, are charging a lot of money for "Road Worn" guitars. It seems many folks like that worn in, used look. You've got the real deal here.

Think of it as character. Clean her up and get her sounding good, but there is something to be said for the patina of age on a classic guitar, too.

Well, my two cents, anyways.



:arrow: Bingo-Zingo! Or relic'd even. Worth far more than tu'pence. :)

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Post subject: Re: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 5:25 am
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To do a nice job, and not take the guitar apart, or replace parts, you need to use naphtha, WD40, Gerlitz guitar wax, a tooth brush, small painters brush, and some blue painters tape to keep the WD40 off the body. Take the strings off. If you have surface scratches on the body and pick guard, a little elbow grease and Meguires swirl remover before using the Gerlitz wax will do a great job. Afterwards you will have a very nice, clean Mustang with some desired patina.


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Post subject: Re: Need suggestions for cleaning up a vintage Mustang
Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:18 am
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WD40 and guitars is never a good answer. All else tvr1979 suggested is good.


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