this is a great method. i prefer SoftScrub over Purple Kaboom but anything similar will do.
But, for really dirty, oxidized,rusty plates i bring in the heavy artillery- BarKeepers Friend. it's an abrasive powder comes in a can like Comet or Ajax. works freakin' great! you just wet the reed plates, sprinkle some BF, and scrub like Jason Ricci in the above video. i wear surgical gloves. i rub baking soda on my hands so the gloves slip on and off easily.
after cleaning and rinsing the plates (reed plates only-you'll scratch up your cover plates) i give them a bath in warm water and baking soda. about a table spoon of baking soda in an 8oz cup. this neutralizes all those poisons. i'll rinse again and then give them an alcohol bath.
i don't think the alcohol bath is necessary, but i do it anyway.
now, be aware you may close your gaps doing this but then again, if the harp is this bad it needs an overhaul. i kinda like the way the toothbrush sometimes depresses my zero point near the rivet end.
Coverplates: i always have a spray bottle of 90% alcohol handy. also lint free squares of cloth (i prefer t-shirt material.
now, sometimes a hideous opaque film develops on your covers and sometimes it needs to be scraped off. i use a wooden manicure stick or a piece of chop stick to break it up. then i give it a spray of 90%, wipe, and we're good. on the inside cover there may be rust. i sand it off. i also have 800 grit steel wool for the inside.
for the outside you may want NeverDull or something. then wash with soap and water.
Combs: these can get disgusting! rectangular skins develop between the teeth of your comb.
remove everything from your comb. then scrape w/ and exacto knife, or similar, brush it away from your body.- in fact, go outside and do this- gross! (i pressure wash plastic combs w/ the spray thingy on the garden hose.) spray that sucker with alcohol and wash your hands.
i'm sure someone will mention ultra-sonic cleaners. i'm not sure if they remove rust.
Regards, Mark ---------- MP affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Last Edited by on Aug 02, 2012 2:15 PM
Hey MP,I still play those harps everyday! Use them on CD projects and gigs. That was over a year and a half ago that you did the work for me. I have one out of the bunch that needs a new reed. That is the longest I have ever gone on a full set of harps without blowing out a reed. The HG50 4x10 solved the volume issue with being heard. barbequebob's "suggestion" that I was playing way to hard is also responsible for the longer life of my reeds.
Remember that C harp that sounded soooo good? It still does. That harp has the Mojo. Really appreciate how much you did to repair and improve the harps I sent to you. In addition to that, you are a good man and my friend even though we've not met face to face. Good hearing from you Brother!
