[Harp-L] Basic Cleaning

[todd allen]

After reading the threads on hygiene I realized I have way to many harps. I
Started cleaning last night about 9 went to bed at 1 am up at 6am only made it
through 5 harps. I waited way to long, these things are nasty especially since I
got a nice magnifying lens, that with my reading glasses and the reads look
about the size of piano keys.

 
I consider myself some what of a neat freak but was really astonished on how
filthy these little instruments can get. Maybe I shouldn’t wait till the reads
start choking to break out the cleaning kit.
 
I was using Kaboom  warm water rinse and then alcohol wash but the Kaboom is a
bit strong for my liking, so I switched to Brasso not only does it clean the
gunk out nicely it removes almost all the tarnish. These read plates look brand
new. It does seem like it has some type of abrasive in it.
 
Here are my questions:
1 Has any one had any bad results using Brasso?
2 Seems like when i run through the reads to make sure they plink (if that’s the
right word for it) some of them sound dead or they don’t ring out like the
others. does this mean the read is gone?
3 what’s the best tool to use to make sure there in tune?
Thanks
Todd
Only 24 more to go...

[tga...@comcast.net]

On this same subject, how do you go about cleaning Marine Bands? Can't soak them or take them apart.

Thanks
Tag

[Mike Price]

I would only use soap and water. .. I am guessing ( someone please
correct me if I'm wrong ) that using Brasso to clean the reed plates
could be harmful to your health.

On Apr 30, 2011, at 9:17 AM, todd allen wrote:

> After reading the threads on hygiene I realized I have way to many
> harps. I
> Started cleaning last night about 9 went to bed at 1 am up at 6am
> only made it
> through 5 harps. I waited way to long, these things are nasty
> especially since I
> got a nice magnifying lens, that with my reading glasses and the
> reads look
> about the size of piano keys.
>
>
> I consider myself some what of a neat freak but was really
> astonished on how

> filthy these little instruments can get. Maybe I shouldn�t wait till

> the reads
> start choking to break out the cleaning kit.
>
> I was using Kaboom warm water rinse and then alcohol wash but the
> Kaboom is a
> bit strong for my liking, so I switched to Brasso not only does it
> clean the
> gunk out nicely it removes almost all the tarnish. These read plates
> look brand
> new. It does seem like it has some type of abrasive in it.
>
> Here are my questions:
> 1 Has any one had any bad results using Brasso?
> 2 Seems like when i run through the reads to make sure they plink

> (if that�s the
> right word for it) some of them sound dead or they don�t ring out

> like the
> others. does this mean the read is gone?

> 3 what�s the best tool to use to make sure there in tune?

[todd allen]

Hi Mike, I’m sure that used inappropriately or carelessly it could have ill some
effects as with most things out there,

I don’t soak ‘em in Brasso then wipe them off and start playing.
They do get a long soapy warm  water scrub after and a few good rinses then a
final alcohol bath and wipe down.

I’ll try a few the older ones with just regular wash and alcohol rinse and see
if there’s a big difference. Maybe I’m doing more work them I need to do, after
all “The easiest way is hard enough”
 
I have read threads here about how the glue used to hold down wind savers on a
chromatic could cause cancer.

________________________________
From: Mike Price <miker...@verizon.net>
To: todd allen <soundguy...@yahoo.com>
Cc: har...@harp-l.org
Sent: Sat, April 30, 2011 9:54:30 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Basic Cleaning

I would only use soap and water. .. I am guessing ( someone please correct me if
I'm wrong ) that using Brasso to clean the reed plates could be harmful to your
health.
On Apr 30, 2011, at 9:17 AM, todd allen wrote:

> After reading the threads on hygiene I realized I have way to many harps. I
> Started cleaning last night about 9 went to bed at 1 am up at 6am only made it
> through 5 harps. I waited way to long, these things are nasty especially since
>I
> got a nice magnifying lens, that with my reading glasses and the reads look
> about the size of piano keys.
>
>
> I consider myself some what of a neat freak but was really astonished on how

> filthy these little instruments can get. Maybe I shouldn’t wait till the reads

> start choking to break out the cleaning kit.
>
> I was using Kaboom  warm water rinse and then alcohol wash but the Kaboom is a
> bit strong for my liking, so I switched to Brasso not only does it clean the
> gunk out nicely it removes almost all the tarnish. These read plates look
brand
> new. It does seem like it has some type of abrasive in it.
>
> Here are my questions:
> 1 Has any one had any bad results using Brasso?

> 2 Seems like when i run through the reads to make sure they plink (if that’s
>the
> right word for it) some of them sound dead or they don’t ring out like the

> others. does this mean the read is gone?

> 3 what’s the best tool to use to make sure there in tune?

[Deb Wind]

I must have missed that thread. Do you have any
studies/documentation/authority that lend credence to the link between the
glue and cancer?

Deb

[todd allen]

Sorry for the choice of the word "cancer" The thread was a while back I just
recalled it vaguely, maybe I should have used the words “could have ill effects
to health”.

 
It was a thread debating what type of glue to use for windsavers.
Most over the counter glues have that health warning disclaimer on the label.
 
Its funny how technical things can get here sometimes.

________________________________
From: Deb Wind <debseif...@gmail.com>
To: todd allen <soundguy...@yahoo.com>
Cc: Harp List <har...@harp-l.org>
Sent: Sat, April 30, 2011 10:52:11 AM

Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Basic Cleaning

I must have missed that thread. Do you have any studies/documentation/authority

[Joe Spiers]

Todd asks:

"Seems like when i run through the reads to make sure they plink (if that’s
the
right word for it) some of them sound dead or they don’t ring out like the
others. does this mean the read is gone?"

It's something to do with the resonance of the unattached reed plate
cancelling out the vibrations of the plinked reed, nothing to worry about.
JS

[Robert Hale]

I liked Brasso for reed plate shine, too, but if I don't get ALL the gunk
out of the slot at the rivet-end, they don't plink. Probably won't use it
again.

If harps look ugly under magnification, don't look at them. <grin> Dust
mites are ugly, too, but I can't see them, so I'm unconcerned.

Robert Hale
dukeofwail.com
Gilbert AZ (Phoenix)
*

*

[Larry Sandy]

I used Brasso on a few reedplates with minimal success.  After Brasso'ing a good buffing with a Dremel made the plates shine, except the one reed I hooked!  oops.  After thoroughly cleaning with some Dawn and a toothbrush I cleaned them in an ultrasonic cleaner.  Some odor remained but eventually dissipated.  I'll probably do it again.
Has anyone else coated the brass parts with Liquid Glass?  Try it, you'll like it.

Lockjaw Larry
Breathing Music daily

________________________________
From: Robert Hale <rob...@dukeofwail.com>
To: todd allen <soundguy...@yahoo.com>
Cc: har...@harp-l.org
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 2:23 PM

Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Basic Cleaning

I liked Brasso for reed plate shine, too, but if I don't get ALL the gunk

[David Payne]

Sure you can, Tom. You CAN take them apart and you can clean them. Seal the
comb. Then you clean it like any other harmonica.

http://youtu.be/HiE33zn51FM

That is something that was actually on the Elk River Harmonicas Facebook feed
Friday.

You can click "like" to get it.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elk-River-Harmonicas/143747822356030

David
www.elkriverharmonicas.com

 

________________________________
From: "tga...@comcast.net" <tga...@comcast.net>
To: har...@harp-l.org
Sent: Sat, April 30, 2011 9:51:56 AM

Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Basic Cleaning

On this same subject, how do you go about cleaning Marine Bands? Can't soak them

[tga...@comcast.net]

Thanks Dave. Guess I'm just gonna have to learn to work on these things too.