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Cleaning Spit and Fingerprints off of silver plated tubas
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2024 12:57 am
by RealStefan
Hey guys, I am currently using an old besson sovereign 994 in which all of my spit and condensation comes out of the bottom of my valves and over all of the silver plating. What is the best way to clean the marks they made and the best way to prevent it in the future?
Thanks, Stefan.
Re: Cleaning Spit and Fingerprints off of silver plated tubas
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2024 6:13 pm
by RealStefan
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... fcuFycLva3
Here are some pictures of what I am talking about. There also seems to be some yellowy orange colour on the bell. This tuba has also been hidden at the back of a storage room for like 30 years.
Re: Cleaning Spit and Fingerprints off of silver plated tubas
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2024 8:47 pm
by Wes Krygsman
Looks like normal tarnish to me. I usually use Hagerty’s silversmith spray polish to keep my silver tubas shiny. It’s an aerosol that dries on the instrument and becomes a pink powdery film to be wiped off. There are other brands and styles of polish, even treated polishing cloths that will work as well. Usually jewelers have these products if you can’t find it locally, then of course order online.
A good idea is to prevent the drips from happening in the first place. There are a few products that you may want to look into for this. Search grime gutter, and there are a few new plastic ones out you could try. Or make your own. Even just a cloth with a rubber band or hair tie could help.
Another option is to just wipe the drips after playing each time. Keep a polishing cloth (untreated) with you and wipe them as they happen, or at the end of each playing session.
Re: Cleaning Spit and Fingerprints off of silver plated tubas
Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 2:22 pm
by circusboy
Wes Krygsman wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2024 8:47 pm
Looks like normal tarnish to me. I usually use Hagerty’s silversmith spray polish to keep my silver tubas shiny. It’s an aerosol that dries on the instrument and becomes a pink powdery film to be wiped off. There are other brands and styles of polish, even treated polishing cloths that will work as well. Usually jewelers have these products if you can’t find it locally, then of course order online.
A good idea is to prevent the drips from happening in the first place. There are a few products that you may want to look into for this. Search grime gutter, and there are a few new plastic ones out you could try. Or make your own. Even just a cloth with a rubber band or hair tie could help.
Another option is to just wipe the drips after playing each time. Keep a polishing cloth (untreated) with you and wipe them as they happen, or at the end of each playing session.
Perfect advice.
I've had two silver tubas over the years. They were certainly pretty, but keeping them looking so was a pain. I'm more of a raw brass fan now.
Re: Cleaning Spit and Fingerprints off of silver plated tubas
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 12:21 pm
by Roger Lewis
If it’s just spit and fingerprints just use windex. If it’s tarnish, go to Walmart jewelry department and pick up ansilver polishing cloth. The secret is to spray a mist of water on the part you are going to polish and then use the cloth. Much better results. Then wipe down with a clean soft cloth. This is what we did at the Miraphone booth.