Hey whistlers! I’ve got a Burke aluminum whistle in C and it’s tarnished where i put my fingers, and a bit scratched up to. Does anybody know how to shine these things?
I’ve a rouge cloth that works quite well on aluminum.
Just be sure you rinse with water when done…I believe jeweler’s rouge is toxic.
–James
I use a substance called Blue Magic I bought at Wal-mart. It doesn’t contain harse chemicals or abrasives and no odor. It also doesn’t leave a residue.
I think 16oz bottle is $4.00 if that. Its located in the automotive section under waxes.
Toothpaste (white stuff not gel) works well polishing aluminum. It rinses with water (I just had to say that 'cause someone may ask) leaving a fresh scent.
Don’t worry about the chemicals, it’s not like they’ll kill you immediately or anything. Heck, it’ll probably take months! 
Go Radical!
get yourself some Gold Leaf at the craft store! Lightly polish the outside, clean it and apply the leaf. It would help the longevity of the application if you wax it regular or use a clearcoat sealer. Instructions come with the Gold Leaf and you can use other types as well (Red Gold,Copper,Silver etc.)
I just drive through the car wash with my convertible top down. Sorry 4/1.
what about the BRASS burkes? you don’t want to rinse with water right, except to dip the mouthpiece . . . I have used Brasso on my Chieftain Golds (but letting them get a patina now).
After 20 years in the Army, I hope to never smell Brasso again. Try Wright’s Brass Polish. It has no solvents, no ammonia, and no odor. And, a little goes a long way.
Is that YOUR Wright’s Brass polish 
I’ll give it a try. Brasso is pretty stinky.
No, unfortunately. It’s just something I ran across at the grocery store. It really is good, though.
By the way, I’ve never managed to actually tarnish aluminum. I know different people have different body chemistry, but still…
And on my brass whistles, the tarnish shows up everywhere except where I put my fingers.
Thanks for the advice! I am living currently in Mali, West Africa, so I guess I’ll have to wait till I gett back to the Sates to try some of those things, for I don’t know if I can get them here(It’s really dusty here!). I did try toothepaste, and it did help a little.
Thanks again.
Andreas
I was talking about my brass Burke and brass Chieftains
My aluminum Chieftain started looking gunky when I was working on the Navajo reservation last summer. I concluded that it was a combination of the sun-screen that was almost always on my face and hands, and the airborne dust and grit. It didn’t tarnish, per se, but started showing a layer of grey-black crud. Aluminum oxidizes so rapidly that it forms a self-protecting layer of oxide as soon as it is exposed to air. (That’s why aluminum wiring has to be done a certain way, the oxide will cause resistance and heat.)
Once I got home, I gave it a good bath, and it has been fine since.
Mark
whew! I feel MUCH better now