Re: [Harp-L] chromatic cleaning

[G <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2006 16:34:28 -0800
From: Eric Chard <jeric@xxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] chromatic cleaning
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>--- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Gary Lehmann" <hqr@xxxx> wrote:
> > EVrybody) does to clean their instrument? I will go ahead and use
>denture
> > cleaners if that's what it takes--
> > Gary
>
>I heard that the denture cleaner trick will strip off the windsavers
>just like H2O2.
>E

Hi,
  Denture cleaner is a quick fix for plastic or metal comb diatonic
harmonicas for people who don't want to open up their harp for cleaning for
whatever reasons.  It tarnishes the brass to an uneven black.  You can
clean up to 6 diatonics with one tablet, by filling a pot big enough to
immerse all 6 harps, drop the tablet in, mix it up, so it gets through all
the harps, then let it sit for 20 minutes, I don't advise breathing in the
mild fumes.  You'll need to rinse each harp under tap water, both to get
rid of any residue, and to wash out any gunk that hasn't quite been
dislodged, otherwise you'll be sucking it into your mouth, or blowing it
into the reed slots causing your reeds to jam.
  I tested denture tablets on a good pair of 270 reedplates, they too
tarnished, and it removed some of the valves, and weakened the hold for
some of the other valves.  It's an unreliable way to remove valves.  I've
written about this in the cleaning section of CHR Maintenance.
http://www.angelfire.com/music/HarpOn/

I stopped using denture tablets when I got over my fear of opening
harmonicas up.    These days I generally use hot water with a bit of dish
detergent, (not automatic dishwasher stuff), and sometimes a squirt of
bleach if things are really messy.  The bleach and dish detergent do create
a small amount of chlorine gas, but no where near as bad as what you'll get
at the swimming pools.  
  And I use an old but clean toothbrush, and a brass impliment to clean out
all the muck. Be careful not to snag the brush bristles between the reed &
reedslots, if you do, take care pulling the bristle back out - you can
wreck reeds if you man handle them.    I rarely bother the clean between
valves two flaps these days, its just as quick for me to remove it (using
the wedge end of my brass impliment), clean the reedplate surface, and
install a new valve.  You can buy Hohner valves by the pack for 12 and 16
holers, from Hohner themselves, or through the importer.   
  Fernando has just given me a list of international Hohner suppliers which
I've added to the first CHR maintenance page
http://www.angelfire.com/music/HarpOn/maintstart.html
  You may also be interested in reading articles and reviewing a few images
found here http://www.angelfire.com/music/harmonica/harptechtips.html

Cheers,
-- G.