Low Tec Help Needed

[jackinthegreen]

How do you clean Gold(?) plated hardware..I've been told everything from Neverdull to Toothpaste.....Thanx in advance :?

 

[cjd-player]

I would not recommend anything abrasive, such as toothpaste. The gold plating on guitar hardware is extremely thin; just a few microns. And as a metal, gold is very soft. You could quickly abrade it off.

Most cleaners and polishes for other metals, such as chrome plating, have abrasive particles in them as well.

I would just use liquid detergent and water with a soft cloth. That will remove any surface dirt and oily grime.
If it is an older guitar, what you think is tarnish/dirt could be the plating wearing away.

 

[plaidseason]

My wife, an artist jeweler, recommends regular Crest toothpaste (the original, not "tarter control", etc.) It's not that abrasive - otherwise you wouldn't want to use it on your teeth three times a day.

I've used it on my tuning knobs for years and with great results.

-Chris

 

[Jeff]

..I've been told everything from Neverdull to Toothpaste.....Thanx in advance :?

I keep a can of Never Dull around. It works quite well for moderately heavy tarnish & corrosion, a soft bristle tooth brush helps. I suspect it contains some abrasives & don't use it for normal wiping off fingerprints & the like. Regular guitar polish seems to clean sweaty fingerprints & grime off the keys & moderates the green oxidation.

 

[capnjuan]

..I've been told everything from Neverdull to Toothpaste.....Thanx in advance :?

I keep a can of Never Dull around. It works quite well for moderately heavy tarnish & corrosion, a soft bristle tooth brush helps. I suspect it contains some abrasives ...

Never Dull does contain abrasives ... consider Flitz Metal Polish (consistency of toothpaste) or Brasso (a fluid applied with a clean cloth) ... especially good on military-type brass belt buckles :wink: but other tarnished metals too. CJ

 

[coastie99]

Snibbo !!

 

[Guildgator]

Abrasive toothpaste is a bad idea on plated guitar parts, it works but some gold plating can stand up to it and others can't. Gerlitz makes a product called smudge off that is benign and works great on every part of the Guitar - I restored a Gibson Byrdland yeaterday and it took the gunk right off of the hardware. Be sure to wax the hardware when you're done cleaning to prevent future problems. I use Gerlitz Number one wax as well, although any decent carnuba wax will work.

 

[Paddlefoot]

Second the Flitz. It's non abrasive and you can use it on lots of stuff like pickguards and plastic. If you have something that can stand a bit of a scrub you can use it on a paper towel. Works good to get light surface rust off of blued guns and delicate finishes.