All,
I received a Kohlert 8-key in the mail today. It looks to be in very good shape but needs cleaned up a bit. How should I go about that? It has a lined head, and I can’t tell what the head is made of; it’s black, but I can’t see any grain. I can see grain on the body that looks a lot like the grain on my Hammy. The keys look nickel. Any advice?
Thanks,
Tony
Hi Tony,
there are a lot of folks here with experience restoring flutes, but here’s my $.02 worth of advice. BTW - if you really can’t find any grain on the headjoint, perhaps it’s ebonite?
First off - a string of questions: What kind of shape is the wood in? How does the bore look inside? Does it play as is? Are the pads sealing?
My first thoughts are to rehydrate the wood using tupperware and a sponge as well as limiting playing time like it was a new flute (perhaps even more limited since it’s likely drier).
You can clean all the nickel silver with silver polish or brasso after you remove the parts from the flute. Be gentle with brasso. I’d personally try silver polish first, but if that didn’t work move on to brasso.
Repad if necessary. I did the silicone pad method you can search for it on this board. Basically, use aquarium sealant (100% silicone), put a glog in the cup of the key, let it skin over for 10-15 minutes, oil the wood where the key is (including into the tone hole), then put the key back on letting the spring pressure for a seal. Then about 2 days later, trim up the extra silicone. This is really easy and the pad then is formed to fit your old flute perfectly.
Now if the bore is rough, I’ve heard you can clean it with fine steel wool, but I’ve never had to do that and defer to any and all experts on the board on this issue.
Have fun with your old flute, I love mine. Did this flute perhaps come from Maggie’s Violins?
Eric
POST PICTURES 
The wood seems in excellent shape. It doesn’t feel light like it’s dehydrated, but I’m going to put a sponge in the case with it. And it plays as is. The barrel and head were seperated when I got it and a very tight fit so I only put it together loosely, but it played nicely even flat. The keys seem to be in good working order except for the C/C# but it looks like they cover well. I’ll have to exam it. The bore seems to be in good shape. There does seem to be some ‘dust bunnies’ in there so I’ll probably swab it with some oil. I’m guessing with the silver polish that I should use Q-tips so the polish doesn’t hurt the wood?
I’m planning on pictures, but that will be after I get my Boxwood Gerock and my new Burn’s. 
Cheers,
Tony
How long will we have to wait then?? C’mon man
Gerock shipped from England Tuesday so hopefully some time next week. And Casey said in an email today some time in May, even though earlier he said it would be done soon. I hope he got me mixed up with someone else. Maybe Jim knows when his D Boxwood Rudall was supposed to be ready? (Since Jim switched to a C, I’m getting the D)
Cheers,
Tony
Tony - it sounds like you found a nice flute there. I’d try taking the keys off to polish them. You can push the pin out with a small nail (that’s what I use). Most pins push out one way and not the other, so try both side just pushing with your hands.
Or, if you’re nervous taking the keys apart, a Q-tip should work OK, too.
Eric