Just picked up several older crankbaits from a friend that are in good condition but need a good cleaning.  Any tips for getting those old dirty lures clean?  What works best?

I was wading a river a couple months ago and found 3 different rapalas.  They were all grimy* and dirty, and the hooks were rusted out.  So I drenched them with KVD line and lure conditioner and scrubbed them down.  I changed the hooks and they were good as new.

Clean with toothpaste and then clear with polyurethane.

Thanks for the advice guys!  I'll give them both a try.

soap, water, toothbrush.

soap, water, toothbrush.

Just don't use the wife's toothbrush, she can get pretty angry ;D

soap, water, toothbrush.

Just don't use the wife's toothbrush, she can get pretty angry ;D

But she only gets angry if she knows about it right? LOL....just kidding.

Best thing I have found to date is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.  I have found a few cranks this year that have been submerged underwater for a long period.  Took all the rusted hardware off and cleaned with the eraser.  Put new hardware on and they look brand new.  Try it, you will see.

A sand blaster or hydrochloric acid.