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Post new topic Removing gunk, et c.? MSA work in progress
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Author Topic:  Removing gunk, et c.? MSA work in progress
Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 29 Apr 2012 1:48 pm    
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So I got this guitar, lacquered MSA S-12.
I'll post pics shortly
The undercarriage is pretty well covered in nicotine gunk/oily crud, which I'm gonna remove and reassemble (pretty sure it's barroom deposits due to the evenness). Since I'll rerod it for Bb6, it's not much extra work, assuming it'll come off easily.
What should I use? Goof-off?
This pic shows what I got. A clean new cross-shaft is laying longitudinally just for contrast

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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects


Last edited by Lane Gray on 30 Apr 2012 7:19 pm; edited 1 time in total
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James Morehead


From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
Post  Posted 29 Apr 2012 4:43 pm    
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Lane, for the metal, I'd use Mothers. It will take that junk right off. When you get down to the cabinet, use Orange Hand Cleaner to clean it off the paint. Email me, and I'll give some other tips.
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shobud@windstream.net
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Jim Palenscar

 

From:
Oceanside, Calif, USA
Post  Posted 29 Apr 2012 6:31 pm    
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There is a product called Oil Eater Degreaser (Costco/Amazon,etc) that works well and is not nearly as toxic as other stuff I've used (lacquer thinner, etc)
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 29 Apr 2012 7:38 pm    
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Thanks a bunch, Mr. Morehead. You added a bunch to my workload.
I had planned on cleaning just the working parts, and then seeing what could be done to the top side.
Your email exchange put it in my head to clean and shine everything under here.
Before

Who cares if the hidden side of LKV is polished up?
After: I've half an inclination to try to polish out the matte finish, but with all other knees black, I only got halfway

_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects


Last edited by Lane Gray on 29 Apr 2012 9:03 pm; edited 2 times in total
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James Morehead


From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
Post  Posted 29 Apr 2012 7:51 pm    
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Awe Lane, you can call me James. Evil Twisted
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"Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement"~old cowboy proverb.
shobud@windstream.net
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 7:40 am    
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You know, it almost looks like it was lubed by occasional exposure to a WD40 mist



And the front rail

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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Cal Sharp


From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 7:59 am    
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I cleaned up an Emmons after 30 years in bars. Took every part off and used SOS pads. May not be the best way, but it worked fine.


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John Billings


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 12:00 pm    
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For the lacquer finish, I suggest Meguiare's Professional Swirl Remover 2.0. Not only will it remove atmospheric gunk, it will polish out small scratches and swirls. Very easy and quick to use. You can do a steel in less than an hour. Here's on old Perm body, lots of checks and cracks in the finish, but it sure shined up nice, without removing any of the patina of an aged finish.


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Bill Moran

 

From:
Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 12:00 pm    
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Can't believe you guys don't enjoy the smell of stale beer and cigaretts when you open your case ? Sad
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Bill
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 12:15 pm    
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James suggested Mother's. Mother's is doing a good job, although the thicker gunk I just used Goof Off.
The underside is almost done, save the changer.
Making a list of the stuff I'm gonna have to buy to make it work.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Tony Glassman


From:
The Great Northwest
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 3:49 pm    
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Jim Palenscar wrote:
There is a product called Oil Eater Degreaser (Costco/Amazon,etc) that works well and is not nearly as toxic as other stuff I've used (lacquer thinner, etc)


Jim told me about this stuff a couple weeks ago. I tried it and it works well w/o the nasty fumes. Their are no enviornmentally hazzard disposal issues either. It does leave a light film, which is easily removed w/ a damp cloth.

For total diassembly and rebuilds, I still use highly toxic "carbuerator cleaner" because I can put all the parts in a single dunk tank. The problem is one hs to deal with haz-mat disposal and wearing a respirator (poisonous fumes). Good ventilation is a must.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 4:20 pm    
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OK, the underside, meaning cross shafts, bellcranks and pullrods, is done.
Next week, the changer (shudder), and probably starting on the cabinet.
It's mostly great, but about 7 to 10 bar dings and one chip, about 3/8" by 5/8".
Is a retouching possible? I don't like at all the idea of refinishing, since the fretboard is painted/printed under the lacquer.
Is that salvageable?
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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John Billings


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 5:58 pm    
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"Is a retouching possible?"

Without a doubt. Here's the ciggie burn on my '67. Through the finish, and into the wood. And the repair. What do you think?







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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 6:04 pm    
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Wow. Very nice.
Here's my biggest one:


And the ones on the neck, how they got there, I'll never know:

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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 7:16 pm    
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And the easiest. There's about 4 or so like this about the size of a grain of rice.
Not bad for a 77.



How do I do these, and short of enough urethane to make it look like the counter at Bennigan's, how can I make it more resistant?
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 30 Apr 2012 7:53 pm    
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John Billings wrote:





That guitar is decorated with Jewish stars. Do you have any idea if its history?
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Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
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John Billings


From:
Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 1 May 2012 5:27 am    
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"Do you have any idea if its history?"

Sorry Mike! It's only a body, nothing else. I got it from James,,, and I think he might have gotten it from Coop. Not sure about that though. It will be for sale soon. Here's what it looked like when I got it;





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