Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Old Old Standbys

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Dave writes (snipped) about the use of Brasso on Old Standby cover  plates:
 
"Every one I get has rust and/or that black tarnish on it. I take off the  
covers and work some brasso on it with a rag, work it in with a second rag   
(polyester)  and buff if with a third rag (cotton). That takes that stuff  off 
very well and I get a mirror finish. If it doesn't come off with one  
application, or maybe two, I quit. I don't want to polish my way through the  nickel 
plating. Do that with the covers off, you don't want that stuff inside  your harp 
and be sure to clean the covers well afterwards to get all the brasso  off. 
I've also used Turtle wax polish, but that doesn't work as well as  Brasso."
 
 Dave Payne"



...Dave:  I've mentioned my polish of choice many times  here.  It's 
MAAS....a very good and fine polish recommended for use on  jewelry and musical 
instruments (as well as on plexiglas, plastics, acrylics),  etc.  Originally bought 
for my Native American silver jewelry, I tried it  out on my Super 64, and 
loved how it worked.  It also takes off that  rust and black tarnish one 
inevitably finds inside the covers of old  harps...with the minimum of elbow grease, 
with the added bonus of not  being half so toxic as Brasso.  I use it on the 
reed plates as  well...and if a little gets onto a reed or in and around a reed 
slot (remember,  I'm using just the teensiest amount), a toothpick usually 
cleans it up.  My  harmonicas are gorgeous..from the silverplate to the 
brass..and every material  (except wood) in between.
 
It's available from many websites in tubes and tins...but I'm finding it  
stocked by more and more Target/KMart/grocery stores and the like, across  the 
country.  I wipe down after with a lint-free cloth and 91%  alcohol any surface 
I might later touch or where my mouth comes  into contact, but leave a 
miniscule amount rubbed in on the  underside of the covers, since it also functions 
as a  rust/tarnish preventative.
 
 Here's a link to read about it...but I also just noticed it being  sold on 
EBay for very reasonable prices and low cost or free shipping.  
_http://www.metalbrite.net/page/1017618_ (http://www.metalbrite.net/page/1017618) 
 
Disclaimer...no connection with the company, blah, blah..merely a very  
satisfied customer - and my sterling silver jewelry as well as my chromatics  thank 
them too ;)
 
Elizabeth  





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