Re finishing/sealing wood combs

[Raymond H]

 I've been looking into wood sealers / finishes for my wood marine band and chromatic combs and other items. From what I've read most solvent based finishes are food safe after they have set out for a time to allow the solvents to evaporate.
 This web site is one of many I've looked at www.lmii.com for water based finishes, looking for alternatives to using just salad bowl or butcher block oils or waxes, i do a lot of wood turning and do bowls, plates, cups as well as other items some for decoration some for every day use and want to get away from solvent based products. I've used Spar Urethane spray for non-food  items, I have made some harmonica cases and used the Spar but it leaves a lingering odor for a long time and would get into the harps, in the summer i would put them outside but with so many birds flying around (bird feeders) I would be cleaning droppings off them.

  KTM9 (water based)  is one product i'm looking at. Nitrocellulose lacquer is a fantastic finish and can be buffed to a awesome finish "BLOWSMEAWAY" Mics come to mind. But solvent based products should be sprayed on for best results, and being high on the VOC scale and being my work area is connected to the house it's not an option. What i am looking for is something i can dip into or brush on or apply with a rag.   

                                            Raymond 

[harpe diem]

Hi,
you should be aware, that there is no doubt about chemicals in varnishes that are in contact to your lips, or gases that you might inhale deeply on drawnotes.
Ist a different thing on chromatics and bluesharps because of the mouthpiece. I still play both and what I do after disassembling is to give the combs a slight treatment with walnut oil . It hardens after two weeks being in contact with the air.
The odor disappears after a while.

I do the same treatment with the recorders of my children and my Xaphoon (inside and out) which is made of bamboo. Walnutoil is even fine for furniture. It is tricky with the long time it needs for drying / hardening, but you get the very nice feeling, that it is not harmful to anyone or anything!

Jan

[Carl SC270]

I would think that using a water based finish would warp the comb especially a larger chromatic comb. First the wood would expand when wet then shrink as it dries and cures. Guess you have to try it and see what happens. I had a 270 comb that I sprayed with water based polyurethane let it sit for a couple months and when I went to put the reed plates on I noticed it was now slightly warped end to end and a little pressure in the middle caused it to break in half, the garbage can was close so that's where it went. This was going to be my last forever 270 comb that I could put new and tweaked plates on but it turned out to be a major disappointment. Start from square 1. Wish that Hohner would make a solid composition comb with inserts that has wood characteristics and could be reusable, it would solve a lot of problems but they would make less money so it ain't gonna happen. Tried a Corian 270 comb, no good.