What should I clean oxidized Mustang saddles with?

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
Post Reply
User avatar
HedonismBot
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 260
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2020 10:14 am
Location: Northern California

What should I clean oxidized Mustang saddles with?

Post by HedonismBot » Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:38 pm

Hi all. This may be a dumb question, but are there any good non-invasive ways to clean heavily oxidized (dark brown) string saddles? I don't mind the natural wear but I don't particularly care to cultivate the "worn vintage look" either. Asking since I don’t have much prior experience with vintage guitars. Thanks!
Last edited by HedonismBot on Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:59 am, edited 3 times in total.

User avatar
HedonismBot
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 260
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2020 10:14 am
Location: Northern California

Re: Cleaning oxidized Mustang saddles

Post by HedonismBot » Tue Mar 30, 2021 6:30 pm

Are WB-40 or vinegar okay to use on vintage hardware?

User avatar
Pacafeliz
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 18496
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:34 pm
Location: Cococologne, Germany

Re: Cleaning oxidized Mustang saddles

Post by Pacafeliz » Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:40 am

HedonismBot wrote:
Tue Mar 30, 2021 6:30 pm
Are WB-40 or vinegar okay to use on vintage hardware?
Yes to WD40, it's perfect. 👍🏻

But dude NEVER vinegar to clean metal!!! :wtf:
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

User avatar
HedonismBot
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 260
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2020 10:14 am
Location: Northern California

Re: What should I clean oxidized Mustang saddles with?

Post by HedonismBot » Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:42 am

Thanks for the tip! WD-40 it is
Last edited by HedonismBot on Sat Apr 03, 2021 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
andy_tchp
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 8002
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:36 am
Location: Brisbane

Re: What should I clean oxidized Mustang saddles with?

Post by andy_tchp » Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:37 pm

You could try Coca Cola if you happen to have some around. The phosphoric acid in it will be effective at dealing with some corrosion.

Or conversely, buy some phosphoric acid, it’s sold as ‘rust converter’ in hardware and automotive shops. I wouldn’t bother with WD-40, it’s just a greasy water dispersant (hence the name) with slight lubricating properties.
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
David McComb, 1987.

User avatar
mgeek
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1436
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:03 pm

Re: Cleaning oxidized Mustang saddles

Post by mgeek » Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:05 pm

Pacafeliz wrote:
Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:40 am


But dude NEVER vinegar to clean metal!!! :wtf:
Why not? I bought an ancient plane and there was plenty of advice to get the rust off with vinegar - which I did and it worked

User avatar
Pacafeliz
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 18496
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:34 pm
Location: Cococologne, Germany

Re: Cleaning oxidized Mustang saddles

Post by Pacafeliz » Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:39 pm

mgeek wrote:
Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:05 pm
Pacafeliz wrote:
Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:40 am


But dude NEVER vinegar to clean metal!!! :wtf:
Why not? I bought an ancient plane and there was plenty of advice to get the rust off with vinegar - which I did and it worked
Well I know vinegar (fumes) are used to artificially age metal parts, to cause the worn look/rust.

BTW what kinda plane?
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

User avatar
Pacafeliz
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 18496
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:34 pm
Location: Cococologne, Germany

Re: What should I clean oxidized Mustang saddles with?

Post by Pacafeliz » Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:41 pm

I have a little salsa glass jar, half filled with WD40 only for de-rusting metal parts. Works like a dream to help loosing rusted saddle screws and such.
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

User avatar
mgeek
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1436
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:03 pm

Re: Cleaning oxidized Mustang saddles

Post by mgeek » Sat Apr 03, 2021 9:13 am

Pacafeliz wrote:
Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:39 pm
mgeek wrote:
Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:05 pm
Pacafeliz wrote:
Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:40 am


But dude NEVER vinegar to clean metal!!! :wtf:
Why not? I bought an ancient plane and there was plenty of advice to get the rust off with vinegar - which I did and it worked
Well I know vinegar (fumes) are used to artificially age metal parts, to cause the worn look/rust.

BTW what kinda plane?
Interesting - I did notice that once the rust was gone it sort of clouded up a bit, which I guess is what you'd want for fake ageing something...It did the trick with the rust though.

The plane is a massive old Record No7, which I got for joining body blanks. It cleaned up nicely, think I managed to date it to the 1930s! Great looking object

User avatar
Nord
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 136
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:37 pm
Location: Vermont
Contact:

Re: What should I clean oxidized Mustang saddles with?

Post by Nord » Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:30 pm

I use a product called Evapo-Rust. It's non-toxic and biodegradable and I've used it to successfully remove or reduce rust and oxidation from old Fender parts.

User avatar
kaptainkaffeine
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed May 19, 2021 9:35 am

Re: What should I clean oxidized Mustang saddles with?

Post by kaptainkaffeine » Thu May 20, 2021 11:45 am

This is useful info. My 20 year old MIM strat's bridge looks super rusty and the saddle screws are barely usable. Gonna try this and see how it goes.

Post Reply