Goldbrick
160 posts
Apr 23, 2013
3:21 PM
|
Saw mention of this in the othet thread and didn't want to hijack the thread. Are you guys having luck with these on old reed plates? Is the solution compatable with the brass ?
I see some inexpensive ones on Amazon
|
HawkeyeKane
1608 posts
Apr 23, 2013
3:55 PM
|
What do you define as "old" reedplates?
----------
Hawkeye Kane
|
arzajac
1038 posts
Apr 23, 2013
4:06 PM
|
Hi Goldbrick.
I have tried CLR and Brasso to clean reedplate. Makes them shine. Using vinegar and salt is almost as effective and probably friendlier to the environment.
However, I find making vintage reedplates (and reeds) shine like that thins out the tone and response. The harps just don't play well after being cleaned like that. I get much better results just by cleaning them with soap and water using a toothbrush. Toothpaste works really well, too.
I clean the debris off the metal, but don't worry about discolouration and the like. I Emboss to taste, set the shape of each reed and then flatsand the draw reed plate. After that, I throw them into the ultrasonic cleaner. I like giving them a cleaning after sanding. The U/C may make a few of the screw heads a little more shiny, but don't count on the reedplate magically looking brand-new.
If I am working on someone else's harp, I'll just give them a quick rinse after sanding and then go on to gapping and tuning. I'll use the ultrasonic cleaner for the final cleaning since I can do a bunch at the same time and save a significant amount of time.
I hope that gives you some perspective on ultrasonic cleaners - they don't do miracles. They are great and I use mine every day, but if you are only working on your own harps, you can easily do without one.
----------
Last Edited by arzajac on Apr 23, 2013 4:06 PM
|
nacoran
6727 posts
Apr 23, 2013
4:37 PM
|
I cleaned some eBay harps with it. The amount of gunk on the bottom of the sonic cleaner was astounding.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
Goldbrick
161 posts
Apr 24, 2013
3:00 AM
|
Thanks guys. Looks like it might be useful then. Can also use it for guitar bridge saddles, screws and small pistol parts too. Shiny isn't as important as de-crudding
|
MP
2727 posts
Apr 24, 2013
11:40 AM
|
"Shiny isn't as important as de-crudding "
yeah, as long as you get rid of build-up and debris seizing the reeds you should be OK.
i have a method of shining up reed plates in the absolute worst/rusty/discolored condition. i can make them shine like new. i wouldn't recommend it because you knock out the gaps and sometimes the reeds alignment.
i mostly use it for single reed replacement so that the replaced reed looks like it just popped off the assembly line.
----------
MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name [MP] for info-
repair videos on YouTube.
you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
|
