Chiff and Fipple Forums

What can you use to clean off the outside top part of a Burke Brass Narrow Bore D whistle? Would 91% isopropyl alochol be okay to use and wipe off?

If you want to polish it up Weiman's Brass polish is water based and can be rinsed off completely without leaving a residue.

busterbill wrote:If you want to polish it up Weiman's Brass polish is water based and can be rinsed off completely without leaving a residue.

I like the dark patina. I just want to wipe the top exterior of the mouthpiece clean. Would alochol be okay to use or would it affect the brass?

I have used alcohol in the form of a hand sanitizer on all of my whistles, including the Burke. It was fine; nothing happened. For the Burke, I just applied it on the black delrin part but I suspect some got
on the brass part too. Don’t rub it. Just let it evaporate. By top part, I assume you meant the mouthpiece.

There is no point in using chemicals for light cleaning. Try soap and water. The water is harmless, and the soap will rinse away. Scrub with your fingers, or a soft cloth, or even an old toothbrush.

IMO, only use chemicals when absolutely necessary. Start with the soap and water.

Tyler DelGregg wrote:I have used alcohol in the form of a hand sanitizer on all of my whistles, including the Burke. It was fine; nothing happened. For the Burke, I just applied it on the black delrin part but I suspect some got
on the brass part too. Don’t rub it. Just let it evaporate. By top part, I assume you meant the mouthpiece.

Yes the mouthpiece on the brass part of it where my lips touch or barely touch.

awildman wrote:There is no point in using chemicals for light cleaning. Try soap and water. The water is harmless, and the soap will rinse away. Scrub with your fingers, or a soft cloth, or even an old toothbrush.

IMO, only use chemicals when absolutely necessary. Start with the soap and water.

Just to confirm the water will be okay with brass?

A drop of dish soap and water will do the trick if you don't want the patina to change. I'd think you'd end up tasting alcohol or hand sanitizer. I end up tasting tarnish at a certain point and just polish my whistle if it bugs me. But it re- tarnishes up just fine on its own. The only way you'd get brass to stay shiny is with a Downton Abby like obsession with polishing. Most brass that stays shiny has a lacquer coating, including trombones and saxophones. That practice has never been seen as very practical with whistles.

Matthewlawson3 wrote:

awildman wrote:There is no point in using chemicals for light cleaning. Try soap and water. The water is harmless, and the soap will rinse away. Scrub with your fingers, or a soft cloth, or even an old toothbrush.

IMO, only use chemicals when absolutely necessary. Start with the soap and water.

Just to confirm the water will be okay with brass?

The inside of your whistle deals with condensation from your lungs on a regular basis. It must handle moisture decently.

busterbill wrote:... I'd think you'd end up tasting alcohol ...

And that is a problem???

Best wishes.

Steve

Steve Bliven wrote: And that is a problem???

It can be

I didn't realize you'd met my uncle.

Best wishes.

Steve

Thank you guys. Maybe a dab of soap and water on my fingers and then wipe on the mouthpiece and then wipe off with a dry cloth would be enough.

Mr.Gumby wrote:

Steve Bliven wrote: And that is a problem???

It can be

Now that's the right kind of alcohol for tasting. I was thinking of the lovely bouquet of hand sanitizer...