[Harp-L] How to Clean Tarnished Reed Plates (Bob Marsolais)

[Rick Epping]

>
>
> This may sound a little odd and it might have issues in application, but
I'll pass on the observation for interest sake at least.  I use slips of
reed material, some brass and some phosphor bronze or tombac, to insert
white wood glue (I guess it's regular PVA, same as Elmer's glue) into
cracks or joints when doing woodwork repair.  When washing the glue off the
slips during cleanup, the brass/bronze comes out sparkling clean, all
tarnish removed.  This even after just a minute or less of exposure.  While
I don't think there's any harm in leaving the tarnish on the reeds, this
might be a way to remove it if desired.  You might try diluting the glue
with water before applying it and be sure to wash it all off before it
begins to set.

I'm not sure I'd want to go to all the bother of making sure the glue is
completely removed from inside the reed slots.  Then again, it might make
for a tighter fit between a reed and its slot!

Best regards,
Rick

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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2017 17:43:57 -0700
> From: "Bob Marsolais" <bob at xxxxx>
> To: <harp-l at xxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] How to Clean Tarnished Reed Plates
> Message-ID: <004d01d2a36e$8f3ac850$adb058f0$@marsolais.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
> I made the mistake of cleaning the reed plates from my Manji in an
> ultrasonic cleaner using jewelry cleaner diluted weaker than the
> instructions said to dilute.  The stainless steel reed plates are nice and
> shiny but the reeds themselves are very tarnished.  Is there a safe way to
> remove the tarnish without damaging them?  I've thought of using a very
> fine
> abrasive like toothpaste and very carefully with little pressure brushing
> in
> the direction of the reed away from the weld, but I imagine that's rather
> risky.  Any thoughts?  Perhaps I'll just leave them like they are.
>
>
>
> Thanks for your thoughts.
>
>