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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Cleaning a smelly, dirty old harmonica
Cleaning a smelly, dirty old harmonica
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blogward
27 posts
Dec 03, 2009
7:21 AM
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Hi folks; just obtained an Italian-made 'London Pride' valved chromatic that smells (and looks) like the previous owner chainsmoked and played at the same time, during cigarette breaks in a tobacco curing warehouse staffed by TB patients. Any recommendations for cleaning the comb? Should I try to seal it? It's beautifully made out of pearwood or something, but smells like an ashtray (yes, even the comb). The reedplates are filthy, but all reeds ping.
Thanks. And sorry if you were having lunch.
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barbequebob
154 posts
Dec 03, 2009
3:26 PM
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Before you do anything to that, take the cover plates off and let that air out completely for a MINIMUM of 24-48 hours and do NOT put it back in the case because putting it back in the case closed is gonna keep that crap in. It's just like coming home from a horribly smoky club where EVERYTHING has that god awful stench of tobacco, from the entire case full of harps to all of your clothes, underwear and all, and they gotta get aired out ASAP.
Once the smell is gone, then sand the comb down and reseal.
As far as the reed plates, after you've removed the plates from the comb, first try cleaning it as much as possible with a good quality, lint free paper towel (avoid the cheap stuff like the plague because they will always break apart and leave lint al over the place) and apply some isoporopyl alcohol, 91% by volume preferably, which you should be able to buy at most any pharmacy for relatively cheap money, and then let it set for about not more than 5 minutes, and then very gently pat it dry with anohter paper towel. Repeat several times if necessary.
If it still has crud on the reed plates, get some automotive naval jelly AKA rust remover, which you should be able to find at any automotive parts store for cheap money, and with a high quality paper towel, GENTLY spread it on the reed plates and the reeds. Allow it to set and get closer to drying for about 5 minutes, and then gently rinse the plates off with cold tap water, and then gently pat it dry with a paper towel. Repeat this if necessary, and then finally do as in the previous paragraph to sterilize it.
Let me know how you make out.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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