Author Topic: Washing reedplates (Read 1944 times)

Gnarly He Man · « **Reply #30 on:** September 02, 2024, 06:16:22 PM »

Cleaning.
Lotsa bubbles.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #31 on:** September 02, 2024, 06:22:26 PM »

Does hydrogen peroxide have any danger to the valves? How long should reedplate stay in hydrogen peroxide?

Lockjaw Larry · « **Reply #32 on:** September 02, 2024, 08:31:01 PM »

I wonder how effective H2O2 in an ultrasonic bath would be? Of course that would likely run havoc on valves but not every reedplate has valves.

Age · « **Reply #33 on:** September 02, 2024, 09:59:19 PM »

Quote from: Lockjaw Larry on September 02, 2024, 08:31:01 PM

I wonder how effective H2O2 in an ultrasonic bath would be? Of course that would likely run havoc on valves but not every reedplate has valves.

Yeah, that should be an interesting combo to try

servus · « **Reply #34 on:** September 03, 2024, 07:35:05 AM »

Below some of the methods I've found on YouTube. Neil Adler does not agree with the Kettlewell method, mentioning it in his own video. I personally work as conservatively as possible. You guys seem to be more daring, removing reed plates etc. To clean valves, I cut out a sliver from a coffee filter, dampen it and than slip it btwn reed and valve and then between the two parts of the valve. That works well. Recently, as mentioned, the Symphony valves have been flaking off.

Gabi and Steve (Hohner)

David Kettlewell

Seydel (this should be the English version - Gregg Jones has a video in addition):

https://www.seydel1847.de/epages/Seydel1847.sf/sec513ecd7c66/?Locale=en_US&ViewObjectID=2999625&Currency=EUR

Age · « **Reply #35 on:** September 03, 2024, 02:14:18 PM »

I like the Hohner video, but I'm no fan of the next guy.

servus · « **Reply #36 on:** September 03, 2024, 03:17:04 PM »

Very few seem to be. I did however read his thick book on Chromatic Harmonicas. Interesting stuff - needs editing though. I'm very fussy about books that are sloppily edited.

He's the only person who recommends putting a Chromatic harmonica under water to clean it. Gregg Jones, Neil Adler, Seydel etc. do not consider it a good idea, mainly because of the valves. I've done it on diatonics and the noslider - and on the Forerunner. No valves, no danger.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #37 on:** September 03, 2024, 11:45:25 PM »

Servus:

When I tried soaking an entire harmonica, I usually had to take the reedplates out and untwist some valves.

Taking out reedplates and putting them back is not hard. Work in a shallow box to avoid losing screws. Lay the harmonica on the bottom of the box, rather than holding it in your hand, as the woman does in the video . Removing reed plates the first time takes courage, but the ease of the work will surprise you.
-.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #38 on:** September 04, 2024, 12:01:59 AM »

Gnarly,

I bought some new hydrogen peroxide. What is maximum time for soaking reedplates in hydrogen peroxide? A half hour?

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #39 on:** September 04, 2024, 04:52:53 AM »

Servus,

When I remove the top reedplates, I put a piece of masking tape across the spring. Springs can jump out by themselves and lose themselves in your cat's litter box

servus · « **Reply #40 on:** September 04, 2024, 06:14:01 AM »

Thanks for the encouragement, Ed. So far, no special need to remove the reed plates (there's also a good video from Gregg Jones on the subject). Steve Baker from Hohner recommends it in his video only when necessary. Yes, you're right: mind your spring. My Symphony w/ magnetic slide has none, but my Hohners do. I have a special box I use when taking my harmonicas apart. My first big adventure will be putting on new valves. Three or four have fallen off the Symphony already. The harmonica plays without them though...so far. Haven't had a cat since 1994...

Gnarly He Man · « **Reply #41 on:** September 04, 2024, 08:07:09 AM »

I have left reed plates in the hydrogen peroxide solution overnight, depends on how soiled the reed plates are.
A half an hour is ofttimes long enough.

brorat · « **Reply #42 on:** September 04, 2024, 09:06:38 AM »

I've taken all my harps apart many times ... mainly just to see how it works! I realize all players are different. I just don't seem to ever have any "buildup" on my reed plates. I've cleaned them a number of different ways, but I truly don't think they needed it.

I believe I could do NOTHING to most of my harmonicas except clean the slide and mouthpiece for a very long time before I'd have issues. It's fun to take things apart and put them back together, but for me, it's just an unnecessary exercise.

Gnarly He Man · « **Reply #43 on:** September 04, 2024, 09:59:17 AM »

If you practice good oral hygiene, cleaning the mouthpiece assembly is your main task to maintain a clean Harmonica.
Having said that, it’s obvious to me that not everyone does that.
I don’t know if I do that!

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #44 on:** September 04, 2024, 11:09:57 AM »

You make me think that hydrogen peroxide is for cleaning organic material that comes from our mouths. Is that right?

Gnarly He Man · « **Reply #45 on:** September 04, 2024, 01:48:17 PM »

Yes, it’s actually used as a mouthwash.

Age · « **Reply #46 on:** September 04, 2024, 11:18:54 PM »

Yeah, I love peroxide for a lotta stuff. Has a lotta uses besides rocket fuel.

A couple drops of the "food grade" stuff is especially interesting

brorat · « **Reply #47 on:** September 05, 2024, 10:04:18 AM »

Hydrogen peroxide is a truly AMAZING product that's readily available ... and cheap!
Among it's many uses:

Kill dust mites in your bed
Cleans glass great
Loosens ear wax
Disinfects counter tops
Kills bacteria that causes stinky feet
Used to make white clothes look bright and smell good in washer
Used to bleach pulp in making paper

And, oh by the way ... cleans harmonicas too!

Gnarly He Man · « **Reply #48 on:** September 22, 2024, 03:42:34 PM »

I'm thinking about trying sodium citrate to use on chromatic reed plates and combs to remove calcification.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sodium-Citrate
Chemical name is C6H5Na3O7.
Alternately, Na3C6H5O7, that would spell NACHO.

servus · « **Reply #49 on:** September 22, 2024, 04:02:29 PM »

I'm fixated on valves. Do they fall off when you soak the reedplate. Like I've said, I still don't have any need to clean my reedplates in a serious manner. But the valve question haunts me.

Age · « **Reply #50 on:** September 22, 2024, 04:09:58 PM »

I think I'm gunna try the ultrasonic thing just for giggles. What could go "rong" on valves that are already over twelve years old?

Oh yeah, and I fixed the reed that went fashloogna just before the Zoomer last Thursday. It was a misaligned reed, just as I suspected. Weird! I think I'm gunna take it apart again and tighten up those rivets just so it doesn't do it again.

brorat · « **Reply #51 on:** September 22, 2024, 05:33:12 PM »

How do you tighten the rivets? Ball peen hammer?😂

Age · « **Reply #52 on:** September 22, 2024, 10:15:35 PM »

Very carefully, with a drift, my old auto-body dolly, a little hammer, and a little "dead nuts" hammer rap.

smojoe · « **Reply #53 on:** September 23, 2024, 06:31:17 PM »

You have to understand that ALL of these 'so called' instructional videos are aimed at the new player. 30% of the info I have seen seems to be a bunch of guys giving you totally opposite opinions inb an effort to garner your respect and admiration. And some of them shouldn't be putting out info. They just don't have the road time. The people doing the stuff are ALL afraid to put out anything that can wreck a chromo. in inexperienced hands. They generally represent someone else and have to adhere to a format. (Btw, almost impossible to wreck a diabolo harp, lol).

So, here's the deal. You look for someone whom has mucho moi experience with working on them. And be leery of the different manufacturers directions. Treat them as suggestions. Because if you don't do your own work it will cost you a small fortune to even attempt to PLAY chromatic.

Jose Teotiwacan

The Lone Harper · « **Reply #54 on:** September 23, 2024, 08:37:18 PM »

I use an ultrasonic bath to clean any parts of my chromatics with good effect. I haven't lost any valves this way. I add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the water and VERY CAREFULLY rinse them under a VERY LIGHTLY running faucet to wash away any remnants of detergent on the plates, although I guess you could just swish them around in a container of clean water. If you go the faucet way, a fast-running faucet is guaranteed to wash away a few valves.

Denture cleaning products have the potential to remove some of the metal that makes up the alloy the reeds are made of.

Removing patina that can develop on reeds over time can have a negative affect on the tone of the reeds.

Gnarly He Man · « **Reply #55 on:** September 23, 2024, 11:53:24 PM »

Quote from: smojoe on September 23, 2024, 06:31:17 PM

Because if you don't do your own work it will cost you a small fortune to even attempt to PLAY chromatic.

Jose Teotiwacan

Joe knows.

Rich35 · « **Reply #56 on:** October 26, 2024, 07:09:29 PM »

Hi All
Took my 25 year old 48 suzuki chromatic and in perfectly good shape ,except valves got sticky after 5 minutes and being warmed .
Took plates off soaked I peroxide as Gary suggested in another post ,soaked them
over night ,next day rinsed with water dried them and assemble it ,Played it today no sticky valves anymore, peroxide Good stuff !

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #57 on:** October 26, 2024, 08:56:44 PM »

Gnarley,
- - - - - - when you use hydrogen peroxide and water for soaking reedplates and combs, what is the percentage of hydrogen peroxide, by volume? 2%? 5%? 10%? 20%?

Rich35 · « **Reply #58 on:** October 26, 2024, 10:22:17 PM »

Hi Ed
I am not Gnarley ,but I used was 3 percent ,soaked all night ,then rinsed and dried no Scrubing of any kind ,and none of the 25 year old wind savers were damaged.

Gnarly He Man · « **Reply #59 on:** October 26, 2024, 11:08:40 PM »

It's the stuff you get at the drug store, I believe it's 3%.