Violin Forum/Message Board

[Ed]

I have a violin to clean up that is very musty and mildew-smelling. Any suggestions on cleaning it, and polish to use (if any) that will not interfere with crack repairs?

[MANFIO]

First, the best polish is that one the player NEVER USES...

Second, try to be sure that the instrument you have is not a fine one (only an specialist is able to do that), if it's a fine violin don't touch it, you may ruin it.

If the violin is not a good one (in this case just an specialist may clean it) you can use a damp soft rag with a small bit of mild soap (very little, it will not foam) and rub it over the instrument, follwoing with a damp rag without soap to take any soap residue, following with a dry, soft cloth.

If it's not shiny enougth, leave it as it is, too shinny violins are not a sensation.
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[Jack H.]

Hey Ed.
Best method of cleaning a violin prior to crack repair is to use soap and water. I use baby wipes first, they are nothing but soap and water.
remove soap with plain water. Clean out any and all old glue in the cracks with warm water and a short bristled soft brush, also with warm water with soap and brush, and if needed small amounts of H2O2 and bleach IN the crack. Neutralize with water well, and close the crack with edge clamps to ensure that is does not dry in a poor fashion. then repair crack. after crack is repaired and sealed and ready for color matching, you can use a more agressive cleaner to get the rosin off. test on an inconspicuous place to see if it does not remove color.
I use a turps/water/alcohol/baby oil cleaner. sometimes I use xylene but I really try not to as much as humanly possible. Then there is the Super Nikko cleaner and polisher. then comes the final varnish work when every thing is super clean.
the musty smell on the inside can be treated a few ways. Sun and air are the best.
I used to use a bit (2 or 3 drops) of oil of spike lavender on the inside of the instrument.

BTW are you a bogenbauer??

[MANFIO]

I think baby wipes has some oil (lanolin) in it, as an hydratant... apply it over a clean piece of glass, I think it will left a residue. If so, this oiled residue will enter in open seams and cracks, making further repairs more difficut. But I may be wrong.
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[MANFIO]

I've just checked baby wipes' composition and it contains lanolin (literally "wool oil", it's extracted from sheep's wool), that is an oil.

I'll quote Charles Beare, an authority:

"The other problem with the polish that we and everybody else sell is that there is usually an oil in there somewhere. And an oil is not good news for the four joints that are commomly found in the purfling. If one of these comes loose, it will have catastrophic effects on the tone of the instrument, almost anywhere on a violin. Even if it does not make a buzz, it will have an effect on the volume and solidity of the tone. We are forever gluing the purfling at the top of the bass bar or at the botton under the chinrest, in order to cure tonal deficiencies, as well as shoulders and that sort of thing. But I mean that if oil gets in the purfling or into an old crack, it's going to be quite a while before you can get i out again."
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[Jack H.]

Guess I will stop using them for cleaning instruments before any gluing.
THe do work wonders, getting rid of dirt that other things do not get rid of.

Thanks Lu Man Fu

J

[francois]