[Harp-L] Cleaning reed plates

[Rick Dempster]

Don't know how relevant this is Tom, but I know from speaking to dentists,
that
amalgum fillings actually corrode, but the oxidised matter actually filled
in any
gaps that had developed between the tooth and filling.
The early attempts at 'plastic' fillings failed because the plastic did not
oxidise, and any shrinkage or displacement of the filling was not
canceeled by the 'rust' of the amalgum fillings.
I used to be very much against cleaning harps. I've mellowed a bit
(who needs loose junk interfering with the reeds movement?)
but I still believe there is some value in the "muck-sealing" concept.
RD

On Sun, 25 Nov 2018 at 03:27, Tom Halchak <info at xxxxx>
wrote:

> I have cleaned about a bazillion harps – some of my own, some repair work I
> have done for customers and lots and lots of vintage harps that I have
> restored.  Here’s my two cents.
>
>
>
> If it is one of my own harps, then generally I will just use Dawn
> Dishwashing Detergent and a soft tooth brush.  Disassemble the harp
> completely and gently scrub the comb, reed plates and covers.  The way I
> see it is if Dawn is good enough to wash your flatware, dishes and glasses
> (other stuff you put in your mouth) it is good enough to wash my harps.
> The key here is to get rid of any dried-up spit or other debris that may
> have made its way into your harp.  That’s it.  After you have cleaned the
> plates, it would be a good idea to check the gaps and tuning before you
> reassemble the harp.
>
>
>
> What about the staining and the tarnish?  Will Dawn remove that too?  No –
> and I would argue that it is not necessarily a good idea to remove the
> patina.  Why?  Well, what is the tarnish or patina?  It is a thin layer of
> oxidation that actually protects the metal.  Some folks believe that a harp
> plays better when it is dirty – that all the dried-up spit clogs the leaks
> and makes the harp more airtight.  OK – I get that logic.  Might be a
> little gross and nasty in there, but I get the logic.  I have poured
> aluminum powder into a leaky radiator to solve the same problem with the
> cooling system in my car.  Same concept.  But what about the patina?
> Doesn’t it make sense that that thin layer of oxidation also helps tighten
> up the tolerances and make the harp more airtight?  Perhaps that is also a
> reason why your “broken in” harps seem to play a little better.  If you
> remove that oxidation, it might make your reed plates all shiny and pretty,
> but will it make them play better?  I think not.  Besides, even if you do
> scrub the reed plates down to the bare metal, they are only going to
> oxidize again anyway.  Something to think about.
>
>
>
> There are times when I will clean a set of reed plates down to bare metal.
> The best product I have found for that is Barkeeper’s Friend Spray.
> Barkeeper’s Friend is also available as a powder and a semi-liquid paste.
> Both of those have an abrasive ingredient that leaves a residue on the
> reeds and reed plates, so I don’t use.  If you do, then it is a good idea
> to use an ultrasonic cleaner to remove the residue from the plates.
>
> --
> *Tom Halchak*
> *Blue Moon Harmonicas LLC*
> *P.O. Box 14401 Clearwater, FL 33766*
> *www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com <http://www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com>*
> *(727) 366-2608*
>