Cleaning rusted DF tailpiece

[Ohmart]

I'm looking for suggestions for the best method to clean rust off the metal components of my Legacy, particularly the tailpiece. It's mostly clean, except around the socket for the trem arm. I've seen ideas using a bit of everything, from toothbrushes to sandpaper to steel wool to WD40 to Coca Cola. I want to clean the rust off and get all the metal bits good and shiny again (might as well get the pickguard screws and pickup pole pieces while I've got it all disassembled). So what do you use? Alternately, what should I ABSOLUTELY NOT TRY (ahem, Coke)?

[jakkanen]

I'm looking for suggestions for the best method to clean rust off the metal components of my Legacy, particularly the tailpiece. It's mostly clean, except around the socket for the trem arm. I've seen ideas using a bit of everything, from toothbrushes to sandpaper to steel wool to WD40 to Coca Cola. I want to clean the rust off and get all the metal bits good and shiny again (might as well get the pickguard screws and pickup pole pieces while I've got it all disassembled). So what do you use? Alternately, what should I ABSOLUTELY NOT TRY (ahem, Coke)?

I like to use Nevr-Dull, just because I happen to have it around. I bought a can to try out a few years ago and there's still plenty left. It works well enough for me for surface rust removal and polishing.

There's no point in cleaning pickguard screws when you can get a box of 100 shiny new ones for about $5 from a well-stocked hardware store. G&L pickguard screws seem to be standard oval head #4 x 1/2" sheet metal screws.

[JagInTheBag]

My guitar tech uses "Mother's (brand) Mag & Aluminum Polish". Safe for all metals, I've used it on stainless steel, and other metals with good results. It's a paste, you use with a soft cotton cloth and rub till clean. Works awesome. You'll buy it in a Auto Zone, Napa Auto Parts, O'Reilly, kind of places. I think I got it from Kragen Auto Parts down the street last year (which is closed here now). Anyway it works.

Tim

+1 on the Mothers!

[otis66]

Take a pieace of aluminum foil and rub on rusted area. The rust will be removed. Aluminum foil removes rust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UPO8aJh ... re=related