apskarp
238 posts
Jul 05, 2010
10:28 PM
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Any tips on the polishing of coverplates when restoring old harps? I have used citron acid treatment on the plates & coverplates and after that eraser rubber. It works pretty well, especially with the reedplates, but I feel like the coverplates could be even more shiny..
So any suggestions?
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Kyzer Sosa
695 posts
Jul 05, 2010
10:40 PM
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jewelry cleaner and a cotton ball, follow up soon with soap and water....
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nacoran
2341 posts
Jul 05, 2010
10:46 PM
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I'm not as sure with an older harp, but I keep all my harps clean with a polishing cloth (I got one with my Seydel harmonica). I scrape gunk off of it with a craft stick (heavy duty toothpick). If you are using elbow grease you have to make sure that whatever you are using is softer than the harp cover but harder than the gunk so you can scrape stuff off without scratching your harp. I actually kind of like the patina of an older harp.
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Nate
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arzajac
271 posts
Jul 06, 2010
3:49 AM
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Here's a web page about a restoration:
http://www.builderofstuff.com/364_resto.html
From this:
To this:
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Last Edited by on Jul 06, 2010 3:49 AM
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apskarp
239 posts
Jul 06, 2010
10:04 AM
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thank's for tips! Jim, did you mean lipbalsam or those coloured lipsticks?
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barbequebob
1004 posts
Jul 06, 2010
10:08 AM
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What I use for those nickel plated covers was to first get get some automotive naval jelly (rust remover) that you can get cheaply in auto parts stores and brush it on both sides of the cover plates (yes, you gotta remove the cover plates), let it set for about 5 minutes, and then rinse that off with cold water and gently pat it dry with a lint free paper towel (no cheap bargain brand stuff). Repeat if necessary.
Finally, I use a German silver/chrome polish that's excellent for nickel called Happich Simichrome, applying it on both sides of the covers, let it set for about 5 minutes and then wipe it off with a lint free paper towel. This polish can be found in some auto parts stores and it's the only thing I've ever found worth a damn for shining up nickel.
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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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nacoran
2347 posts
Jul 06, 2010
11:26 AM
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Just to clarify, that's not what I'm thinking of about a nice patina! That harp pic needs (and got) real cleaning. If you've got them 'shiny' then a polishing cloth is what I'd use.
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Nate
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jim
207 posts
Jul 06, 2010
11:38 AM
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I guess any regular lipstick will do. Smell washes off with water.
For real dirty reedplates i use 50% lemon juice mixed with 50% water. 10min and they shine. Just don't leave them there too long, or you'll get PINK reedplates!
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apskarp
240 posts
Jul 07, 2010
2:36 AM
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Thank's Jim! That lipstick trick was very good, I wonder is it just the mechanical polish or is there some chemical stuff involved there..
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
481 posts
Jul 07, 2010
1:44 PM
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Barkeeper's Friend.
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www.harrisonharmonicas.com
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apskarp
244 posts
Jul 07, 2010
10:42 PM
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Thanks' Elk, but those brands are really hard to find from Finland. Even if one would find it, it is sold with some other name by some other company in a different looking container..
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apskarp
287 posts
Jul 27, 2010
10:37 PM
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I actually tried Corega Tabs with the cover plates and it seemed to work perfectly! They look like new.
About the reedplates - I noted that BuilderOfStuff used brasso to work with them. However, I saw that some people advised not to use that or anything that contains ammonium as it weakens the reeds. What's your experience of that? Is it safe to use with prewar harps?
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htownfess
136 posts
Jul 28, 2010
4:35 AM
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For non-rusted coverplates, I use Happich Simichrome per BBQ Bob's advice, but do a brief wash/rinse with dish detergent afterward, and then do a final polish with toothpaste. You can use your current toothbrush or dedicate an old one, but toothpaste gives a nice final polish with more depth than Simichrome alone does, and of course leaves your coverplates minty fresh. Just rinse w/ water per usual. Toothpaste is too fine a grit to handle heavy polishing/cleanup, but just right for a showroom-grade final polish.
I confess that with a dedicated toothbrush, I tend to skip the detergent step and just use the toothpaste to take care of any Simichrome residue, because the covers come out just as clean after the final rinse. I use the toothpaste on both sides of the covers: smells nice whether people can see the result or not.
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HarveyHarp
87 posts
Jul 28, 2010
8:02 AM
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MAAS metal polish for cover plates
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apskarp
288 posts
Jul 28, 2010
10:39 PM
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@harpwrench: I tried to search for it but no success. It must be sold in Europe under some other brand..
I found one old Finnish polishing powder that I might use called "Sampo kiillotusjauhe". It can be used with brass and many other metals.
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LittleJoeSamson
377 posts
Jul 28, 2010
11:39 PM
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Just coverplates ?
NEVR-DULL first. Rub down, then toothpaste finger rub. wash off with water and hand cloth polish.
( Use a file to round edges, or risk getting cut ).
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joeleebush
137 posts
Nov 29, 2010
4:43 PM
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If the plates don't look like the end of the world, this is what I've been using for 60 years....
Go to an Army-Navy store (or order on-line) and buy a BLITZ CLOTH...(google the name). They use it to polish buckles and it lasts for a long long time.
Take covers off the harp.
Use BLITZ cloth to polish the covers. Then wash them in warm soapy water using your fingers. Rinse well.
Dry them off and reassemble.
You're off and running.
Regards,
JoeLeeBush
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mlefree
25 posts
Nov 29, 2010
5:30 PM
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@Dr. David Payne -
But Dave, Barkeeper's friend is so abrasive. I wouldn't want to scratch the plating on the covers... It's great for polishing up corroded reed plates, though.
@BBQ Bob - You got it right as always. I like a metal polish called MAAS. Elizabeth Schulz turned me onto it. Great stuff. A tiny amount will shine those covers up in a jiffy. Of course, if they're pitted with rust I'd have at 'em with Naval Jelly per Bob's advice.
Michelle
Michelle
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