Best "stuff" to clean rusty/dirty Floyd?

[mustaine-who?]

What's everyone using to clean or restore dirty/nasty/rusty Floyd tremelos?

Preferably something available at Hell-Mart or Autozone...

[vklobucar]

I am not sure if you can get this product in the States but here in Canada the best degreaser-cleaner around has got to be Spray Nine.

Awesome general purpose degreaser that makes old metal parts look like new. I took apart a gold OFR a while back and it just restored it from maybe a 4 to an 8 out of 10.

http://www.spraynine.com/

[toejam]

WD-40 and a toothbrush.

[nateb]

^^^^^ Yes

[Bengal]

WD-40 and a toothbrush.

+1.

[wilkinsi]

Preferably not the same one you intend to use for your mouth later!

[slo100]

WD40 is good for initial cleaning but it is designed to leave behind an oil film to maintain lubrication of moving parts. This is not ideal for a Floyd. The film can attract and hold dust and grime. I would suggest making sure the trem is free of oil residue if you choose to use WD40.

It is more important to wipe down everything after gigs or heavy use to keep gunk from building up and getting out of hand.

A little prevention goes a long way once you have it cleaned up and de-gunked.

[Bengal65]

What's everyone using to clean or restore dirty/nasty/rusty Floyd tremelos?

Preferably something available at Hell-Mart or Autozone...

:ROTF: Actually, I never seen one that wasn't pristine

[toejam]

WD40 is good for initial cleaning but it is designed to leave behind an oil film to maintain lubrication of moving parts. This is not ideal for a Floyd. The film can attract and hold dust and grime. I would suggest making sure the trem is free of oil residue if you choose to use WD40.

It is more important to wipe down everything after gigs or heavy use to keep gunk from building up and getting out of hand.

A little prevention goes a long way once you have it cleaned up and de-gunked.

Good point. It's a very good idea to wipe it down well after.

[CharvelRocker]

Industrial 3-36 is the same thing as WD40 for those interested. Some make a "Light" 3-36 that leaves a dry film, but I've never tried it. It also costs less than WD-40, as you get double the amount for on average, only a dollar more.

[memphiskat]

WD40 is good for initial cleaning but it is designed to leave behind an oil film to maintain lubrication of moving parts. This is not ideal for a Floyd. The film can attract and hold dust and grime. I would suggest making sure the trem is free of oil residue if you choose to use WD40.

It is more important to wipe down everything after gigs or heavy use to keep gunk from building up and getting out of hand.

A little prevention goes a long way once you have it cleaned up and de-gunked.

I would also recommend alcohol or something similar to get the WD40 off the bottom of the saddles and the top of the plate. I used WD40 and then had trouble with the saddles slipping forward when I really pulled up on the trem bar. Others here don't seem to have this problem, but after I cleaned the saddles and plate with alcohol the slipping stopped. And I couldn't really see or feel a film, but it must have been there.

[straycat]

I use a product called Break Free it losens rusted parts and leaves a protective film.Do wipe it dry before putting it back together.
Another product that works great is TW-25B its a dry lube that bonds with the metal to leave a protective film that blocks rust, dust, dirt.Works on vintage nuts too slick as hell.

[noomnus053180]

Axe Wax and a toothbrush,follow up with Windex.Iv'e done so many like that I get sick of thinking about it.