I’m sure this has been discussed before, but I didn’t turn up much info when I did a search…
I just bought a Shaw Low-A, which I like very much, but seemed to be pretty tarnished. I got it at Lark in the Morning, which means it was sitting in a case for God knows how long. Any suggestions on how to clean it? What specific products will work? It doesn’t need to be spotless or highly polished, but right now it’s so tarnished, it almost looks goldtone, not silver. Help!
I find a little buteric acid works really well to clean off tarnish. Be VERY careful though not to get it on your skin. Rinse the whistle off carefully after wiping away the tarnish.
Best,
Chris
There’s a universal metal polish called Flitz ( no kidding ) that works very well. You might find it at hardware or grocery stores. So far as I am aware, it has nothing nasty in it – though I don’t recommend eating it, and I don’t think the manufacturer does either.
Cape Cod Metal Polish, sold at Restoration Hardware is incredible stuff on brass. I use it on my whistles and Uilleann pipes. It doesn’t smell like petroleum, and does a phenomenal job.
You can get a jewelery polishing cloth from a jeweler which will do a good job. But instead, don’t think of it as tarnish-- think of it as an age acquired patina which adds character. This will save you a lot of time!
Anyone know what’s in a jewelry polishing cloth? I’d like to find out if they are OK to use on aluminum (specificly my Chieftan high D).
I’ve had success with polishing whistles with a Selmer cloth for plated finishes. They are relatively inexpensive ($5 or so)and LARGE. They do the same job as jewelers rouge on cloth, but the cloth is very well suited for the job.
I have not polished a Chieftain, but I have polished my Overtons. I used 0000 steel wool first (worked in one direction only!), then I used the Selmer cloth. Some folks have problems witht aluminum tarnishing quickly, but I never have.