Clear coat to prevent rust?

beaglesandbass

beaglesandbass

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#1
So I've noticed that on the pickguard screws near the bridge/pickup, there is a good amount of rust. I bought new screws and was wondering if I spray them with clear coat before I put them on the bass, that will prevent rust on them.

Should work fine, right?
 
#3
New Chrome screws shouldn’t rust if you don’t chip the chrome off. Solution: don’t crank hard on them. Use a driver that fits perfectly. Tighten them just snug so as not to mar the chrome plating. Use only two fingers on the driver.

As suggested above, beeswax would be an excellent extra protection measure.
 
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#9
Ever see a shiny brass door knob with scaly tarnished patches? That’s the laquer worn off, inevitable on any surface that gets touched. Human skin oil is corrosive. Stainless or chrome screws, available in packets on eBay cheap.
 
#10
fhm555 said:
Another vote for stainless.

18-8 if you want a brushed look or 316 if you want a polished look.
Click to expand...

Right out of the package, 18-8 (which is effectively 304 alloy) stainless screws are sort of a brushed satin shine. But you can quickly polish up the heads and they will look almost like chrome. Once buffed up, they will stay shiny and look better longer than chromed screws.

To polish them, clamp the body of the screw in the jaws of a small drill chuck. Then hold it for a few seconds against a spinning buffing wheel, charged with a bit of buffing compound.

I use stainless screws for all the pickguard, tuner, and strap button screws on the basses I build. They are commonly available and less expensive than chromed screws, and I like them better.

If you didn't know it, in regular industry terms, pickguard screws are Phillips Oval Head Sheet Metal Screws, usually #3 x 3/8" or #4 x 1/2". Tuner screws are Phillips Pan Head Sheet Metal Screws, #2 x 1/4". Strap button screws are Phillips Oval Head Sheet Metal Screws, #6 x 1 1/2".
 
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#11
Bruce Johnson said:
...But you can quickly polish up the heads and they will look almost like chrome...
Click to expand...
I was talking about out of the box. IME with small stainless fasteners, those made from 316 come out of the box already shiny where those made from 18-8 appear to be brushed. I don’t know if it’s the difference in hardness or what, but the 316 screws i get from my usual source (mcmaster carr) have always shined while the 18-8 stuff always appears brushed. I’ve been using stainless on my pickuard and control plate screws since i first gave in to my tinkeritius and took apart that first little MIM J. :D
 
#12
fhm555 said:
I was talking about out of the box. IME with small stainless fasteners, those made from 316 come out of the box already shiny where those made from 18-8 appear to be brushed. I don’t know if it’s the difference in hardness or what, but the 316 screws i get from my usual source (mcmaster carr) have always shined while the 18-8 stuff always appears brushed. I’ve been using stainless on my pickuard and control plate screws since i first gave in to my tinkeritius and took apart that first little MIM J. :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, on most of my basses, I use the common 18-8 screws as they are, the satin sheen. That's basses with satin hardware and an overall wood theme. I like the satin look better on them. I only buff the screws up on basses with the '60's look; gloss finishes, nickel plated hardware, etc.
 
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