Shiny Brass Whistles

[Franz]

What is your favorite polish to keep your brass whistles looking new? I've used "Brasso" but don't like the smell. Recommendations please!

[CranberryDog]

Flitz: http://www.flitz-polish.com/

Works for me.

[MTGuru]

I like Simichrome for very occasional use. Non-abrasive, very effective, a tiny dab does an entire whistle. The odor is pungent but doesn't persist after polishing. The usual caveats about residue in the fipple and toneholes apply.

[Bloomfield]

I don't think I've ever polished a whistle. They're lucky if they get a bath in soapy water every three years or so. And I like the matte look of brass with the finger prints around the tone holes.

[slowair]

Directions from our old friend Zub:

Heat a glass or two of vinegar in a pan, bring it to boiling while dissolving kitchen salt in it to saturation. I.e. keep adding salt and stirring until the salt doesn't seem to dissolve any more. It does take a lot, like half-a-glass of salt.

Watch out, do this soup in a well ventilated kitchen: there's chlorine evaporating.

Let it cool outside. Pour in a bottle, slowly to leave the salt deposit in the pan. Stopper the bottle for storage.

This liquid is non toxic, use it on a rag to remove stains on brass/copper whistles . Wipe dry. If you dislike the faint vinegar smell remaining, wash with soapy water before drying.

[Aanvil]

I don't think I've ever polished a whistle. They're lucky if they get a bath in soapy water every three years or so. And I like the matte look of brass with the finger prints around the tone holes.

Bloomfield is also soon to be offering a special product. Keep checking back for details!

[MTGuru]

Vinegar + salt ... plus tomato paste = ketchup.

This is also an old pub guitarist's trick for reviving a dead brass/bronze string. Some ketchup on a napkin, add some salt, then scrub and rinse. I tried it once, and it more or less works. Tastes good, too.

[Tommy]

Toothpaste, no mixing, no waiting, no bad smell, just rub it on and rub it off. Smells good and less decay.

[DreamOgreen]

Hey Tommy, have you ever noticed if the toothpaste leaves any scratches? I had thought that toothpaste had a mild abrasive in it. Boy that's just the thing to go with flossing the airway

[Ron Jarvis]

Is there anything wrong with #0000 steel wool used very lightly? Ron

[fancypiper]

I burnish the brass with a piece of Chamois leather. That gives it a great patena.

[Franz]

Thanks for the replies! I haven't had a chance to try the commercial brands suggested, but I did try toothpaste and ketchup. They both work well with toothpaste being a slight winner. And when I travel, I will always have some polish with me.

No more "Brasso" smell.

[I.D.10-t]

Perhaps a topcoat of wax, lacquer, or finger nail polish would be helpful in reducing the discoloration.

[Ron Jarvis]

Can you use #0000 steel wool to clean a whistle? Ron

[slowair]

Can you use #0000 steel wool to clean a whistle? Ron

Yes, I do.

For some jobs, I just use the salt/vinegar solution. If there is green stuff in the tuning slide or I want that look of brand spankin' new, I'll use #0000 steel wool.

Others may think this abrasive, but I've done it many times and there has been no ill effects so far.

I find that if I don't keep the whistle polished, the tuning slide sticks after some time, even when using lubrication. So periodically, I will use the solution to get back most of the shine. Then a light, quick application of steel wool, followed by a water bath to get out the pieces of steel wool that will fall away from the wool pad and into the tube. Then dry the inside with two swabs to make sure it is dry. After that, I apply joint grease from Susato to the slide. (I've had the same stick for six years.)

Hope this helps.
Mike