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Discussions => Other Free Reed Instruments => Topic started by: Doug Barr on October 08, 2013, 03:41:01 PM

Title: Cleaning/brightening/whitening bone buttons
Post by: Doug Barr on October 08, 2013, 03:41:01 PM

I have a concertina I am restoring and would like to freshen up the buttons.  I was told bleach will make them brittle.  I tried a micro sanding cloth to no avail.  Any Ideas?  Doug

Title: Re: Cleaning/brightening/whitening bone buttons
Post by: Chris Ryall on October 08, 2013, 05:02:32 PM

Do you know about http://concertina.net/forums ?  ::)

Title: Re: Cleaning/brightening/whitening bone buttons
Post by: deltasalmon on October 08, 2013, 06:32:33 PM

Quote from: Chris Ryall on October 08, 2013, 05:02:32 PM

Do you know about http://concertina.net/forums ?  ::)

http://www.concertina.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=15873#entry150293

Title: Re: Cleaning/brightening/whitening bone buttons
Post by: Chris Ryall on October 08, 2013, 09:02:19 PM

Seems they don't know either!
Melodeon.net to the rescue?    :neigh:

Title: Re: Cleaning/brightening/whitening bone buttons
Post by: Nick Collis Bird on October 08, 2013, 10:06:12 PM

I'm not sure about this, but if the buttons are "organic" eg  ivory or hoof and horn. Then a mixture of milk and vinegar should work. Mixing the two together becomes a horrible curdled mess and really smells. BUT it certainly works on cleaning vellum or parchment.
Maybe worth trying on the least obtrusive button first.

Title: Re: Cleaning/brightening/whitening bone buttons
Post by: malcolmbebb on October 09, 2013, 07:23:18 AM

I think they are in fact bone, prob shin bone. Not used on melodeons AFAIK.