Austen I worked in the aerospace industry for decades. (as an Electronics Tech & a "Sheetmetal" man.) What you have going on there, looks like the beginning of Intergranular Corrosion. You will have to strip it completely, then use Scotchbrite to remove the corrosion. In aircraft we ALWAYS dipped the parts in ALODINE (it actually puts a thin layer of corrosion on the part, but it prevents the part from corroding further. I didn't get it either.) Then rinse the whole thing in water. Then apply Zinc Chromate paint as the primer coat, then paint it white. Remove the Patent applied for sticker, first then do the above steps. I built C5B, 737, C130, worked DC8, DC9, DC10, UH1H, & H58 aircraft. We did what I mentioned on every one of those aircraft. (I worked Electronics on other AC besides the ones listed). You may not be able to get hold of ALODINE or Zinc Chromate paint, but be sure you use something like Rustoleum or something similar, or the corrosion will return. (I feel like I'm talking shop now.) That's my advice.
I have stripped the pickguard and managed to remove the sticker without damage... I haven't, yet, sanded it but it looks pretty good with no pitting. As a temp measure, I have painted a thin layer of Kurust on it until I can spend more time on it.... Alodine, is there an alternative? Also, the pickgaurd is made of steel, Alodine reads like, it is for Aluminium..... and it is super expensive.
@@LennonLuthierFinagler I will search. I didn't realize the pick guard was steel. If there's no pitting, you're in good shape. I will try to get back before the end of my day here in the US. (Yes Alodine is expensive but a little bit will last for years. I worked at a place in Dallas TX that had a huge vat just sitting there, in a back room.)
Sand it down, soak in vinegar for several days, sand some more, Bondo body filler to fill the pits, sand some more, apply rust preventer primer, repaint with epoxy based enamel, bake the finish to dry.
I would try to get the patent sticker off and reapply it. With it being rusted my feeling is you would be best off stripping the paint off and repainting it, otherwise its just going to keep corroding. Yes you could take off the blisters and "relic" the guitar but i think that looks more fake than just repainting. Im sure on the internet you could get the correct colour and shade of paint to keep it original
Strip it, refinish, and repaint. If the sticker is important maybe mask it off; I'd be concerned it might be destroyed in the process of removing it. Then wipe some clearcoat over it. But really, bluesingmusic seems to know what he's talking about.
As has been commented here, strip it to bare metal, prime it, and then repaint it. Consider an epoxy based paint for the final finish. Also, a couple of coats of acrylic finish works wonders. I doubt if that's an OEM steel pickguard. Leo tried some prototype steel pickguards on a few Strats, but not on any production models to my understanding.
I would think it has to be resurfaced and re-painted. You could tape off the sticker and proceed to removing the old paint, then rust. As long as there are no chemicals near the taped off sticker, you should be fine.
It's off a Fender Bullet. I'd do my best to get the sticker off in one piece (maybe some gentle heat would help) so it can be reapplied later, but I wouldn't be too concerned if it didn't survive.
Is it off of one of the early Fender bullets whatever strip it completely treat rhe rust repaint Austin ( assuming the rest of the guitar is in good nick !) as i remember the neck resembles a telecaster?
