Gold Plating Going Green!!!!!

[asimmd]

Hi All

The bridge saddle adjusters on my Burns Marvin Custom are going green.

It's probably from the sweat on my hand when playing,but is there
anything I can do to stop it getting any worse?

Thanks

Alan

[Iain Purdon]

I have no idea but from my school chemistry copper goes green under acid conditions or oxidation. Verdigris is an example. Maybe there's copper in them thar saddle adjusters?

The following link may be completely off the wall but it's interesting to read
http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/How-to-Remove-Verdigris-From-Coins?ugid=10000000017991794

Might give you a steer?

Iain

[geoff1711]

with old style electro plating copper was often used as a base and then the intended finish plated on top of that, gold is soft and wears quite easily and so could allow sweat to reach the copper beneath which would go green.

More modern techniques employ electrostatic resins and dyes and so it's a one shot process, not least because, after plating products are no longer electro conductive, and whilst there are some good gold colours they aren't gold, whereas, on proper electro plating they are but much softer.

I had some pressed steel Fender saddles gold coloured Albrafin'd about 15 years ago and it still looks like it did when I'd had it done, gold on the other hand would have worn through on high spots by now.

all the best

Geoff

[Paul Childs]

This is real wear and tear, some people would pay a fortune to have bridge saddles gone green artificially from the Fender Custom shop!

[asimmd]

Hi All

Thank you for the replies.

I am pleased to say tha the problem has been resolved.

The green stuff comes off with a Baby Wipe and a cotton bud,but
it still looks unsightly.

I emailed Barry Gibson at Burns,to ask his advice,and he sent me a new set
of gold bridge saddles absolutely FOC.

That's excelent service in anyones book.

Alan

[ecca]

I used to use a baby wipe on my guitar finishes after every gig. The Gibsons especially , were attacked by the sweat on my hands.