Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Paul,

What would be the best way to do this? I've a set of Pat. Pending saddles for a pre-CBS Strat that I'm getting ready to offer up for sale and want to clean them up a little. I was told that Flitz would do the job, seeing as it's a low abrasive metal cleaner and polish, but wanted to see what you'd recommend before a rub my hands raw. Any special procedure that you use yourself?

Thanks,

Mike

You betcha. I use fine polishing compound (3M Perfect-it 3000) on a small brass or stainless wire brush. If you've got a Dremel Tool with a rotary wire brush, that's perfect. I clamp the part on a small vise and have at it, putting a dab of compound onto the part and using the Dremel on its slowest speed. This can make a bit of a mess, so dropcloth the Duncan Phyfe, Mary Todd Lincoln fainting chaise.

This method works very well on gnarly old nickel-plated Klusons, too. Use the wire brush on the bodies and shafts, and if the keys are also nickel-plated (as opposed to the ivory plastic ones), use a small buffing wheel or felt wheel on the Dremel to polish those. Then, use a toothbrush and some toothpaste to get rid of the abrasive, rinse thoroughly, and give them a shot, inside and out, of WD-40.

And be sure to floss after every brushing.

Gotcha, Paul! Thanks for the tip!

My '60 reissue came with fake rust on the saddles.