Any corrosion experts ? (old Gretsch content)

Paul_C

A customer has a 60s Gretsch which has unfortunately sustained some damage after a plumber allowed water into his basement which led to a number of items sitting in a damp room for a number of months.

Here are some pics of the damage. I've given him my view of what might be needed, but I recognise that I'm no expert so if anyone could agree/disgree/offer suggestions I might not be aware of I would be very grateful.

ICBM

That looks salvageable to me. It's quite a lot of work to take it all apart and clean everything, but will devalue the guitar less than replacing the parts.

midlifecrisis

i use to know about these things but im a bit rusty now

WezV

Yeah, take apart and rebuild any seized parts... It will work again

PhilKing

Oxalic acid will be your friend here if there are rusty iron parts.  We had lots of damage from Hurricane Sandy about 9 years ago and I've salvaged lots of parts with it.  It basically takes away the rust by ionizing it.  They also used to use it to descale car radiators.

Paul_C

Thanks folks

Cleaning with what ?

I've cleaned bits in the past with wire brushes and softer brushes, with my buffing wheel (inc. firing the occasional screw across the workshop ) with metal polish/T-Cut/3 in 1 oil etc. and with just a cloth, hot breath and elbow grease - any other handy liquids etc?

TheMarlin

The Bigsby is Aluminium, so be careful with that.  

PhilKing

You can still use oxalic acid to help on aluminium.  see this video for details https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jdYcvM6RpM .  I've recovered some Gretsch parts that I thought were gone. 

Kittyfrisk

This works too (usual disclaimers about trying on small areas apply)  https://www.wickes.co.uk/Kilrock-Bar-Keepers-Friend-Powder-Cleaning-Cleanser---250g/p/143983