Floyd rose tuning screws rusted

PolarityMan

i have an ibanez us 2000 that has a fixed flood rose style bridge. So it has those tuning adjustment screws, only problem is that the sweat from my hand has rusted them to the point that they don't really turn properly any more.

whats the best fix, I'm thinking use pliers to get them all the way out then give the threads a good clean with something (would wd40 work) then put in new screws.


what do you think?

octatonic

Try tightening them slightly, which can break the rust, then loosen them.
If you do use pliers use a wider one and put a @mike_l ;between the jaws to protect the metal.

You might be able to reuse the existing fine tuners.
I use a high grade abrasive paper to remove the rust and then some Liberon lubricating wax to protect the areas.

mike_l

octatonic said:

If you do use pliers use a wider one and put a sloth between the jaws to protect the metal.

What did the sloth's ever do to you?

ICBM

I would disassemble the bridge completely and put the parts with the fine-tuners in a small container with some WD40 overnight to soak - you may find that's enough to free them.

Once you get them free or if you have to get new ones, put a tiny amount of copper grease in the threads, that will hopefully stop them seizing up again.

stonevibe

Or some coke, that stuff dissolves rust like no one's business. Then use some WD40 after. White vinegar works really well too, just soak overnight.

octatonic

mike_l said:

octatonic said:

If you do use pliers use a wider one and put a sloth between the jaws to protect the metal.

What did the sloth's ever do to you?

Predictive text stakes again.

viz

octatonic said:

mike_l said:

octatonic said:

If you do use pliers use a wider one and put a sloth between the jaws to protect the metal.

What did the sloth's ever do to you?

Predictive text stakes again.

And again

Maynehead

Most fine tuner screws don't come all the way out (they are crimped at the end of the thread) so don't force them out with pliers. You can just spray them in situ and work them up and down a few times to loosen the rust.

octatonic

viz said:

octatonic said:

mike_l said:

octatonic said:

If you do use pliers use a wider one and put a sloth between the jaws to protect the metal.

What did the sloth's ever do to you?

Predictive text stakes again.

And again

Was that one being intentional not immediately oblivious?

ICBM

octatonic said:

Was that one being intentional not immediately oblivious?

Cleanly not.

PolarityMan

Maynehead said:

Most fine tuner screws don't come all the way out (they are crimped at the end of the thread) so don't force them out with pliers. You can just spray them in situ and work them up and down a few times to loosen the rust.

Can you see if they are cvrimped by taking the bridge out completely? Obviosuly since its fixes there not the normal spring tension issues assocaited with putting a floyd rose back on so I figure even I could manage it

mike_l

octatonic said:

Try tightening them slightly, which can break the rust, then loosen them.
If you do use pliers use a wider one and put a @mike_l ;between the jaws to protect the metal.

What did the mike_l ever do to you?

PolarityMan

mike_l said:

octatonic said:

Try tightening them slightly, which can break the rust, then loosen them.
If you do use pliers use a wider one and put a @mike_l between the jaws to protect the metal.

What did the mike_l ever do to you?

I'll tell you one thing he didn't do...thats fit in my pliers.

mike_l

PolarityMan said:

mike_l said:

octatonic said:

Try tightening them slightly, which can break the rust, then loosen them.
If you do use pliers use a wider one and put a @mike_l between the jaws to protect the metal.

What did the mike_l ever do to you?

I'll tell you one thing he didn't do...thats fit in my pliers.

Get bigger pliers then
Do I have to think of everything.

PolarityMan

Good plan, I do agree with your mission to protect metal. \m/ 

Maynehead

PolarityMan said:

Maynehead said:

Most fine tuner screws don't come all the way out (they are crimped at the end of the thread) so don't force them out with pliers. You can just spray them in situ and work them up and down a few times to loosen the rust.

Can you see if they are cvrimped by taking the bridge out completely? Obviosuly since its fixes there not the normal spring tension issues assocaited with putting a floyd rose back on so I figure even I could manage it

Yeah ain't gonna do any harm. Just slacken off the strings, take the springs off the back and it should pop out. Give it a good scrub with a toothbrush while you're at it.

Might be worth covering the bridge posts with masking tape while the bridge is off to stop them being accidentally turned.

EDIT: just realised it's a fixed bridge, ignore what I'm saying completely!