Advice on Rust removal....faceplate

[Garydean]

I'm concerned about an amp I'm working on that has a rusted faceplate. It's a Hotrod De ville about 7 years old. 35% of the chrome is gone. Past experience has taught me that if I use a liquid metal cleaner I risk removing the writing and what chrome is left will haze, due to the rust particles moving around while cleaning. Would anyone care to share their thoughts or favorite methods?

Does Fender sell replacements?
Cost?
Anybody have a spare?

[Alex R]

Isn't it part of the chassis?

Anyhow, Fender do sell spare parts but they're slow and hard to deal with, and they won't deal direct with individuals - or even with small businesses (like mine). Ask a local dealer.

A wax-based car polish is probably the best you can do if you don't want the very mild abrasives in a chrome cleaner.

[Garydean]

Thanks Alex. Actually the faceplate comes off. It's only held on by the knobs and jacks. I sent Fender an email though I'm not holding my breath. I had dealings with Tascam before and they are great. One of the boards in a recorder was flanked and they sent me a whole new board for $40.

[Alex R]

Yeah Marshall are very good also. One of the guys who works in the guitar shop I do repairs for asked the owner how Fender get away with such lousy support. He said, because they can, and I guess that's about it. But theoretically your local Fender dealer should be able to order one for you. They won't deal with people like me who don't have a shopfront, though Marshall are very happy to do so, so on the rare occasion when I need a part that I just have to get from Fender, I get the shopowner to order up spares for me, which he is kind enough to do. Takes ages though. Let us know how you get on.

[Sock Puppet]

Google "electrolysis rust"

I haven't tried it myself but only because I haven't needed to.

S.