Re: [Harp-L] Bar Keeper's Friend, re:cleaning harps, removing corrosion, etc.

[David Payne <dmatthew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I used Bar Keeper's Friend on my 48 chord, which is about 60 years old, so it had built up some gunk. 
Normally, when I clean a reedplate, I'll put it in a bowl with a Lime Away solution, but the 48 chord reedplate won't fit in a bowl, or a sink... the only option would have been to fill up the bathtub with Lime Away. So, I did basically the same thing Joe mentioned. 

It did not give it that new shine like you get with CLR or Lime Away, but it got the green gunk out, in the end, it was stained, but very clean. That took approximately six hours to clean it, take all the windsavers off and reglue the windsavers back on and that was just one of the four reedplates, ;) On diatonics, it's a pretty quick process.
But it is a quicker method than the limeaway soak, and while limeaway gets it cleaner, a sometimes it leaves a red tint on the brass. Barkeeper just cleans it.

Dave
__________________________________________
www.elkriverharmonicas.com 



----- Original Message ----
From: Joe Spiers <joemopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: joe.mahan@xxxxxxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, October 2, 2009 10:23:02 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Bar Keeper's Friend, re:cleaning harps, removing corrosion, etc.

I use the traditional powder in the gold can, never tried their other products. Wet down the reedplate, sprinkle on liberally, brush away. I don't do it that fast, its not necessary. Use a plain old-school toothbrush with even-length bristles, not the fancy kind that like to snag reeds. Brush end-to-end so that the bristles don't snag on the turnaround, and as Michelle said it works well on the backside of the reeds (but be careful). It will take rust off the rivets too. Rinse thoroughly with warm water (not piping hot) as you finish brushing, to completely remove it from the slots and around the reed base. This is the quickest and best way I've found to deal with nasty old harps. I like to follow it up with a tiny bit of toothpaste for a refreshing taste.
JS



----- Original Message ----- From: <joe.mahan@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2009 8:30 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Bar Keeper's Friend, re:cleaning harps, removing corrosion, etc.


> It looks like Bar Keeper's Friend comes in many packages/styles (powders and liquids):
> 
> http://www.barkeepersfriend.com/
> 
> Which one is good for cleaning harps? I'll guess it's one of the liquid ones, does it matter which one?
> 
> I see from their website it is available (USA) at Walmart and Target, does anyone know if they (or any other major retailer) has the "right" flavor?
> 
> --Joe
> _______________________________________________
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> 

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