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Topic: How To Clean Springs |
Steve Goodson
From:
South Carolina, USA
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Posted 5 May 2017 9:36 am |
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| Can anyone tell me how to clean steel guitar springs to make them shine again like new? |
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Dave Campbell
From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Posted 5 May 2017 10:37 am
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| soak them in tsp, then use pipe cleaner and solvent. finally, use a polishing wheel and manipulate the spring so you get as much of the surface polished as possible. |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 5 May 2017 10:00 pm
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The least flammable and cleanest solvent (i.e. one that has no added oils and leaves no residue) is VM&P naphtha (aka "naphtha" - or the closest retail product is Ronson lighter fluid in yellow and blue squeeze bottles)
Naphtha can be found in quarts or gallons at contractor paint stores like Sherwin Williams & PPG - not Home Depot. It's handy stuff as it removes oil, grease and other petroleum residue, plus sticker gunk and most other adhesives except acrylic, synthetic & hide glues, epoxy and Super Glue.
It's harmless on Formica, lacquer, poly and other guitar finishes - techs keep bottles on their workbenches.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Tim Russell
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 6 May 2017 2:32 am
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My local Home Depot has VM&P naphtha in quarts for $8.00. So it is definitely safe on mica and lacquer? I need to use that on my Williams that someone wrapped in clear vinyl and a sticky residue is now on the finish.
Thanks for the tip.
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Sierra Crown D-10 |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 6 May 2017 6:36 pm
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I use a fine wire brush wheel. Works pretty good.
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 7 May 2017 9:54 am
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I use a Tumbler for all my little metal parts...they all come out sparklin new including springs.... I use bee bees and dawn and lemon shine rinse aid....yeeeehaaaa.
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Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 7 May 2017 2:17 pm
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I agree Ricky! That's what James, RIP buddy, told me to do.
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 7 May 2017 9:28 pm
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| Quote: |
| So it is definitely safe on mica and lacquer? |
Yep. I've been using it for decades on just about every stringed instrument you can think of!
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 7 May 2017 10:35 pm
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| Remove the springs from the guitar and soak them in carburetor cleaner for an hour.....rinse with water and thoroughly dry. They'll shine like new. |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Posted 8 May 2017 4:28 am
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| For home use nothing beats the tumbler like those used to polish stones. You can use grit and add a bit of solvent but usually grit will make them look as good as new! |
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