Cleaning an oxidized bridge?

Paulinator

Paulinator

New Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2014
Messages
19
Location
San Diego, CA
My 2012 USA CU24 has some blotchy spots on the bridge where it looks and feels oxidized. It's spotty as if something was sprayed on it causing it to oxidize or corrode. It felt rough in those parts like the top layer of metal was eaten away. The only thing I have currently is string cleaner, but that didn't work. The guitar is rather new (NOS) with not much playing time. How can I clean this off? I thought these bridges would never oxidize (assuming it's actually oxidation).
 
I would say metal polish, and the bridges do tarnish, but if you have physically rough spots on there, I couldn't say for sure. Are you one of those guys whose sweat/body chemistry eats metal? I was in a band with a guy like that once. He completely rusted out a pickup in 6 months.
 
Your sweat/skin oil is very acidic and will pretty much eat away at the plating over time. There are some guys on here whose plating has deteriorated completely and its just the raw brass that remains. Nothing wrong with that. Gives it some character. The nickel plated bridges tend to last the longest while you can breathe on the gold plating and its gone.
 
Blue Magic polish is recommended by PRS. I've tried it after using various other ones (Brasso, Silvo etc.) and it works really well.
 
ADP said:
Blue Magic polish is recommended by PRS. I've tried it after using various other ones (Brasso, Silvo etc.) and it works really well.
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Thanks, if it's recommended by PRS then I'll give it a shot.

And thank you to everyone else as well for the advice. I guess it could be my sweat that's causing it to corrode, but my guitars don't usually have that problem. The little bit of bridge corrosion that I tend to cause is a small patch by the low E string from palm muting. This though is like something got splashed on it with blotches of whatever is causing it to look dull in those places.
 
I've used Hoppe's #9 solvent and a toothbrush with excellent results. Just make sure you clean all of the solvent off when you're finished. If you aren't familiar, it's a gun cleaner.
 
Paulinator said:
My 2012 USA CU24 has some blotchy spots on the bridge where it looks and feels oxidized. It's spotty as if something was sprayed on it causing it to oxidize or corrode. It felt rough in those parts like the top layer of metal was eaten away. The only thing I have currently is string cleaner, but that didn't work. The guitar is rather new (NOS) with not much playing time. How can I clean this off? I thought these bridges would never oxidize (assuming it's actually oxidation).
Click to expand...

Please forgive my ignorance, but are we talking about the polished aluminium stoptail bridge? I have this bridge on my McCarty and I've heard a similar story of tarnishing from playing. I think the SE stoptail is nickel plated. If it is indeed sweat, perhaps we should wipe the stoptail after each playing session to avoid the problem? I'm just thinking, prevention is often easier than the cure........ :)
 
First off, Being I know about Gun solvents, Hoppes #9 will dissolve copper, That's what it's designed to do, clean copped fowling from gun barrels, Most chrome & hardchromed parts have copper plating beneath so the chrome will stick in the plating process, Hoppes can ruin chrome parts & can make them start to peel, The pieces would need to be soaked in alcohol etc afterwards to remove all traces.. If the parts are aluminum, stainless or chrome?? You can polish with many different polishes, Mothers is my favorite, Flitz, Blue Majic, NevrDul etc could also be used

This close with flashup of the PRS bridge appears really corroded , It's 18 years old BTW, but just has a few spots to the naked eye. I haven't worried about it but did wipe it with a micro fiber towel & cleaned with Q-Tips during last string change..

I don't know if the PRS parts are stainless or not?

I would try an polish the parts smooth with a Q-Tip & some polish if it were me..
Good Luck

Close Up
P3310038.jpg

Naked Eye
Dragon%20Treble.jpg
 
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