A brass Reyburn Low D just found its way to me, and since I haven’t had a brass whistle for a while, I don’t have a good sealer/coating to clean and keep the brass from oxidizing, and getting smelly in the process. Mainly I am interested in the sealer that keeps it from getting smelly quickly.
Before when I had other brass whistles, I used a hair formula with petrolatum and beeswax that I used after the cleaning (with Dupont Chrome cleaner-still have that), and it seemed to last a little while, anyway, and it smelled nice because of the beeswax. I really don’t like the smell of brass if it is let to oxidize, and I also like the clean feel of polished brass vs a natual patina too.
I also have a high polished aluminum Low D that is great too, but it doesn’t require any care other than maybe a washing once in a while. I like both materials-brass and aluminum, so I will keep both, for their different voices.
Anyone have a favorite combination that works well for the brass?
Hey Dennis! Thanks for the tip-guess Turtle Wax would suit me fine, though Tortoise Wax might be bit better for the slower stuff! ; ) I’m doing pretty good, thank you. And you? Getting back into the low whistles again; it seems I can’t just walk away from them, even though I’ve been fluting for a while.
Do you have a brass cleaner that you like a lot too?
Yeah, the Turtle wax is another carnuba wax. The Meguire’s is probably a good bet.
I’ve tried a few, including a vinegar and salt concoction. I don’t have a favorite. Mostly I just try to keep the brass clean and coated so it doesn’t oxidize. I really don’t like the smell or taste of brass once it starts to get that vintage patina.
Ha! Well, that fits, thanks MT! Yellow+Banananas+Brass= Though I do have to say, I would prefer a beeswax fragrance to bananas. Like to keep my bananas in a cream pie form though!
I did just try a Lavender scented handcream, with some Vaseline over it, and it smelled pretty good. Don’t know if it will hold up though.
Thanks too Dennis. I’m trying to find a combination that works for a pretty long while, if possible. That would be nice, but I remember on previous brass whistles, it wouldn’t last all that long, and the process would need to be repeated frequently.
Does anyone clean the inside too? I never have, other than just washing it out.
Yes, playing music is fundamental to my breathing-if I’m not playing, I’m not really living. Been there though, and don’t want to go back! Nice to have these low whistles to be excited about!
Along these same lines but a different question, is there some coating that would prevent an allergic reaction to brass? I love my Freeman tweaked Gen D so very much but I found out after a few days of playing that my thumb was all sore and red! My other fingers weren’t as bad, probably because they aren’t sitting too long on the whistle while my thumb is holding it up.
I have just resigned to only playing maybe one or two songs on the Gen before picking up my Susato or Bluebird.
I haven’t given away my Gen or bought a new one yet because I was holding out hope to eventually play it again!
I believe there are some permanent fixes if you want to coat the brass with a plastic or other layer (like a spray), though I don’t know what would be best for the purpose, and not create other sensitive allergic issues, possibly.
But, you could always switch the brass tube out for a nickle plated brass tube. Generation makes both, and Jerry might have the other on hand. Might be good to check with him, as it seems you really love his version of the whistle.
Hey, the_walrus0 is back. At first I thought I’d like the brassy stink, but, now I realized I needed to keep the brass whistles polished and to wash my hands frequently. Are you sure your thumb is all sore and red from the whistle? Could it be something else? the hoop?
Hehe. I haven’t hurt myself with my hoops for a long while! That means I’m not learning any new tricks though. With work and college I hardly find time to breathe. I often practice whistle one day, squeeze in some hula hooping another day, knit a little on a different day etc.
Thank you MT, I’m used to Brasso and its a nice polisher, but, I never could get rid of the stink now that I think about it. I’ll have to try everyone’s suggestions above. I’m glad this got posted… the little things you never think about… until they smell!
Only have one brass whistle (Sindt A). I wash it well with washing up liquid and then polish with a cheap toothpaste. Keeps the whistle smelling good for at least a month.
I’ve had good results with cheap toothpaste as well. Although, I usually prefer brass to look a little funky. Can’t be of any help with a more long lasting fix for the stink, unless it’s to switch to CPVC.
Thanks for the great suggestions, and I believe that the toothpaste is a good idea for cleaning the brass. But there has to be something that makes it last, and creates a barrier that protects the finish from oxidation.
Turtle Wax seems one of the better suggestions, along with the McGuire’s, so thank you for those suggestions too.
I still need to see if the beeswax hair dressing is still available, as it seemed a good final coating for keeping the oxidation to a minimum.
I suppose I’m having the opposite problem. What I can only presume is the protective coating is peeling off my Walton’s Brass C. Any suggestions on speeding up the process? I never really liked the feel of the coating anyway.
With work and college I hardly find time to breathe. I often practice whistle one day, squeeze in some hula hooping another day, knit a little on a different day etc.