Cleaning hardware (really dirty hardware)

Haych

What’s a good way to clean REALLY dirty hardware? I’m sorting out an Ibanez S520EX which has been a high school loaner for most of its life. As such it hasn’t had a lot of love. 

The trem in particular has loads of caked on dirt and grime. I’ve dismantled the trem and have been trying to clean the parts with naphtha and cotton buds and a toothbrush but it’s just bouncing off. 

I reckon it needs a good soak in something for a few hours to soften the gunk before cleaning it off. What can I use that won’t damage or attack the finish or metal the bits are made from?  It’s finished in black chrome if that helps. 

TIA

merciful-evans

CIF cream. I'm using the one with micro crystals now.

viz

I put bike parts in a margerine tub of white spirit. Not sure if that’s good for guitar parts. 

Maynehead

If it’s rusted I usually soak in WD40.

If it’s regular grease I’ve never seen anything that dilute washing up liquid can’t handle...

prowla

For rust, I soak in Coke(-a-Cola).

Groke

White vinegar shifts rust and grime.

Sassafras

Naphtha evaporates too quickly. I use a watery solution of Fairy Liquid and ammonia. That shifts most things.
WD40 is also good.

Funkfingers

Uh-oh! INF1 and INF2 pickups. They need to go. 

Phil_C

Groke said:

White vinegar shifts rust and grime.

Was just about to suggest this. Works well.

jdgm

Another vote for vinegar!

Soak overnight then probably use white spirit to really get it off...I'm not sure how impervious black chrome is.

fendergibson

Power jetwash ftw - take the hardware off the guitar first mind 

KrisGee

I always use coke or wd40. Coca cola I mean

FelineGuitars

Ultrasound jewelery cleaning bath

Haych

FelineGuitars said:

Ultrasound jewelery cleaning bath

Oh yeah, would love one of these!

Phil_C said:

Groke said:

White vinegar shifts rust and grime.

Was just about to suggest this. Works well.

Did actually think this myself but wasn't sure if the acidic PH wouldn't be bad for the metal.

Funkfingers said:

Uh-oh! INF1 and INF2 pickups. They need to go. 

+1 to that.  It's not my guitar so I don't have to worry about it, though

Jack_

Grease and grime you say?

ESBlonde

Something mildly acidic, white vinegar, Coke, Lemon juice. Then a shot of WD40 after the toothbrush scrub.

Haych

The bits are currently soaking in a bath of white vinegar as I type.  Probably leave them there for a few hours and give them a scrub this evening.

Thanks all.

clarkefan

Was going to suggest Coke as well but I'd be worried about the black chrome finish.