Does anyone have a good way to clean old lures? Dish soap is mild and seems to do a pretty good job on the painted surfaces. I have not found anything that cleans and shines metal lips and metal hook hangers. Let me know if you have a good solution for the metal parts and how you clean painted bodies. Thanks.

by "cleans and shines metal lips and metal hook hangers", you mean rust removal? As far as cleaning the rest of the lure, warm water is all I ever needed, as my lures never get dirty to the point where I would need additional chemicals to remove dirt. I clean my lures after ever 3-4 trips.

Yes, like rust, corrosion, or just dull and not like new. I try to clean old lures I might buy and some I find. Most of my lures stay pretty clean. Thanks.

well, if its a thin layer of surface rust, you can always use some random solutions to remove it. vinegar, coke, store bought solutions all work. If its corroded, then just throw it away and replace it. If its dull, sharpen it.

I use CLR on any lure I find that plain old toothbrush and dish soap can't cut thru. Works very well.

@rboat Give the body a thorough cleaning with hot water and Dawn dish washing detergent. After that dry thoroughly and be easy. One of the best cleaners and polishers I have found Is Meguiar's M83. https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Mirror-Action-Cleaner-Polish/dp/B0002SQYRI

 

I must warn you though be gentle on painted baits because If the pint is In rough shape It might slough the paint off, but  for the most part Is does a really good job. I have never tried It on metal but try it and see what happens. 

Good tip @Avalonjohn44 !

 

Warm water and soak in baking soda, about a cup to 3 gallons.

Tom

 Are you cleaning old , maybe valuable lures ? If thats the case be gentle .I clean coins that are not too valuable with a paste made from baking soda and water .

I never clean my lures. Some of my best lures are the ones that are really beat up. I just sharpen or replace trebles if needed. 

Stop by the local hardware store and pick up some tiny steel wool bundles.  They're like $1-$2 for a package.  The steel wool will scrape away any excess rust, discolorations, dirty grime stuck on the lure, etc.  Like others have said, wash the lures well first and then start scraping the steel wool against the parts of the lures that need attention.  It takes a little bit to get the hang of it in terms of making sure not to scrape off the original paint, but it is definitely an effective tool.  Also if you want to scrape off a lure's paint coat completely and give it a DIY paint job, steel wool is the way to go.

24 minutes ago, UPSmallie said:

Stop by the local hardware store and pick up some tiny steel wool bundles.  They're like $1-$2 for a package.  The steel wool will scrape away any excess rust, discolorations, dirty grime stuck on the lure, etc.  Like others have said, wash the lures well first and then start scraping the steel wool against the parts of the lures that need attention.  It takes a little bit to get the hang of it in terms of making sure not to scrape off the original paint, but it is definitely an effective tool.  Also if you want to scrape off a lure's paint coat completely and give it a DIY paint job, steel wool is the way to go.

see above, also look for xxx steel wool.it's super fine and won't scratch metal.

I clean mine - when they are in need of complete rehab - with a sonicare toothbrush and a dedicated head.  I add a sprinkle of baking soda to toothpaste.  Don't confuse the lure cleaning head with the one used by your significant other.  I would think an inexpensive vibrating toothbrush would work as well as a fancy one.

 

Otherwise the gentle soak and or soap sounds good to me.

Depending on just how "old" they are, I would consider antique value first before starting to clean any old lure. If they are antiques, don't do anything to them! Anything you try would jeopardize the value.

 

If they are just common old lures, then start out with a soak in Dawn dish detergent. That should take care of most of the grime. The metal parts can easily be cleaned by using "NEVR-DULL" wadding polish, which is available at any automotive parts store.