LittleJoeSamson
542 posts
Mar 24, 2011
2:10 PM
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The dad of one of my students is an electrician. He uses a fair amount of electrical lube spray in his line. He gave me a hint for degumming sticky harps without having to disassemble them.
( PS, try this on a cheaper harp first )
Keep harp intact. Spread some papers to absorb overflow. Spray electrical lube directly into holes both sides. Let sit for a few minutes. Spray again with WD-40 to remove most of the other lube. Get a small plastic tub ( Like butter / margarine comes in ...one that has a lid ) put some warmer water in it with a good squeeze of Dawn dishwashing detergent. Put the harp in, close, and swish around for a while. Wood combs less than others. Run under tap water thats lukewarm. I then give it a slight bleachwater bath real quick ( use gloves or tongs for this ) and then the tapwater again.
Shake out excess water and let dry.
This has rejuvenated some harps destined for practice and/or parts.
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Zadozica
46 posts
Mar 24, 2011
2:24 PM
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What is the bleach water rinse for and why do you need gloved/tongs?
Having worked for The Clorox Company, I am just curious what you think the bleach will do (other than maybe reacting with the brass/metal parts - which will not be a good thing).
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MP
1532 posts
Mar 24, 2011
2:56 PM
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oh, i thought you meant candy, like gummy bears.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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KingoBad
660 posts
Mar 24, 2011
3:28 PM
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Sounds like more hassle than taking them apart.
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Aussiesucker
810 posts
Mar 24, 2011
4:52 PM
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Sounds very messy & could be some nasties in WD40 & bleach that are not really good for you or the harp.
I prefer to take apart and with plastic combed harps 1)soak reed plates in a denture cleanser 2) scrub the comb and coverplates in dishwashing liquid/warm water with an old toothbrush.3) Rinse everything in cold water. 4) Pat dry & hang parts in a shady airy space using paper clips as hooks 5) Assemble when dry.
This doesn't take long, is very easy, is safe and restores the harp to look and play like new. The denture tablet dissolves dried on gunk on reeds so that they even sound brighter.
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LittleJoeSamson
543 posts
Mar 24, 2011
5:53 PM
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For only one harp...yeah, I would more often disassemble. This is for doing several at once, and it does save alot of time.
The bleach water I should have said diluted about a cap full to a butter tub. NOT full strength.
The tongs are just a caveat for those with sensitive skin.
@ MP...Don't chew gummy bears and blow harp !
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tmf714
564 posts
Mar 25, 2011
6:13 AM
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I agree with Zadozica-bleach is so toxic,it's banned from use in Germany and a lot of other countries too.
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MP
1537 posts
Mar 25, 2011
9:37 AM
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too late joe. i also put beans up my nose and can't breathe. ciao'
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Zadozica
49 posts
Mar 25, 2011
4:17 PM
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@tmf714 - I disagree. Bleach is very safe when use according to instructions. It is very effective for sanitation and disinfecting things. However, a capfull per a margerine tub is WAY TOO MUCH.
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LittleJoeSamson
547 posts
Mar 25, 2011
11:29 PM
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The caveat with the bleachwater is "real quick", meaning swish, dunk, and rinse.
For the squeamish chemo-phobes, you can also use dilute Hydrogen peroxide.
@MP..What you doin' with that bean up your nose ?
( I got a date with cute waitress once by putting two french fries up my nose. She evidently thought I was as nutty as she was. Almost, not quite. )
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Zadozica
50 posts
Mar 26, 2011
7:30 AM
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Chemo-phone?
That is an interesting response. However, you never said what the bleach rinse is supposed to actually accomplish.
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