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Author Topic: Old Hohner box - cosmetics  (Read 2296 times)

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Wolfgang

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Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« on: July 30, 2016, 02:13:47 PM »

Hello everyone!

I am new here, absolute beginner with the melodeon trying to get the hang of it.

Restoring an old Hohner box from ebay currently. I have refitted it with brand new reed blocks from Hohner Germany, CF tuning. Sounds really nice again, mechanically everything is fine.

Just wanted to know what I could do to touch it up cosmetically, the bits of rust and corrosion on the grill and the edges. Could I somehow get that shiny again? Theres some old dirty mesh attached to the grill, I think I wouldnt mind to remove it entirely, or should I?

Thanks, best wishes from Austria
Wolfgang
« Last Edit: July 30, 2016, 02:16:55 PM by Wolfgang »
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baz parkes

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2016, 02:43:48 PM »

Just wanted to know what I could do to touch it up cosmetically, the bits of rust and corrosion on the grill and the edges. Could I somehow get that shiny again? Theres some old dirty mesh attached to the grill, I think I wouldnt mind to remove it entirely, or should I?

Thanks, best wishes from Austria
Wolfgang

Hi Wolfgang...welcome

I just had some work done on a similar C/F box, and the cloth was removed altogether... makes for a much brighter, louder sound I found...
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Theo

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2016, 02:47:27 PM »

For minor scratches in the woodwork there are a number of simple ways of touching up.  Shellac  polish is probably the best.  It would s inexpensive and quick to apply - just rub it on with a soft cloth.  In a warm room it dries very quickly so if it is necessary you only have to wait a few minutes between coats.

I hope you have kept the old reeds and reed blocks. The old reeds are almost certainly better than the new ones you have fitted, though they will need some work to get them to play well.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2016, 05:41:15 PM by Theo »
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Theo Gibb - Gateshead UK

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Graham Spencer

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2016, 03:30:14 PM »

Hi and welcome

The corrosion on the nickel-plated parts is your biggest problem; the easiest solution is simply to replace them with new parts (readily available), but the downside to that is that they'll always look new in comparison with the rest of the box. I heartily concur with Theo about the old reeds & blocks; they will almost certainly be superior to the new ones, and if renovating them is beyond your present capabilities it would be worth your getting a knowledgeable repairer to tune and revalve them for you.

Cheers
Graham
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Among others, Saltarelle Pastourelle II D/G; Hohner 4-stop 1-rows in C & G; assorted Hohners; 3-voice German (?) G/C of uncertain parentage; lovely little Hlavacek 1-row Heligonka; B♭/E♭ Koch. Newly acquired G/C Hohner Viktoria. Also Fender Jazz bass, Telecaster, Stratocaster, Epiphone Sheraton, Charvel-Jackson 00-style acoustic guitar, Danelectro 12-string and other stuff..........

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Wolfgang

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2016, 04:24:20 PM »

Thanks everyone for the welcome and advise.

I knew that old original reeds could be superior, but those particular ones are a real desaster. Beyond my own repair capabilities for sure. I was looking for an affordable quick and easy solution, and they cost only 150€ for the whole set. But I ll keep the old ones anyway.

The whole box is more of an experiment. I am considering a decent new one but couldnt decide yet.

Cheers
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911377brian

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2016, 05:36:23 PM »

Theo, I haven't come across Sheila polish, is it easily available?
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Graham Spencer

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2016, 05:38:48 PM »

Theo, I haven't come across Sheila polish, is it easily available?

Maybe in Australia......?
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Among others, Saltarelle Pastourelle II D/G; Hohner 4-stop 1-rows in C & G; assorted Hohners; 3-voice German (?) G/C of uncertain parentage; lovely little Hlavacek 1-row Heligonka; B♭/E♭ Koch. Newly acquired G/C Hohner Viktoria. Also Fender Jazz bass, Telecaster, Stratocaster, Epiphone Sheraton, Charvel-Jackson 00-style acoustic guitar, Danelectro 12-string and other stuff..........

Squeezing in the Cyprus sunshine

Theo

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2016, 05:41:47 PM »

Should be shellac.   Corrected now.
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Theo Gibb - Gateshead UK

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playandteach

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2016, 05:46:06 PM »

Theo, I haven't come across Sheila polish, is it easily available?

Maybe in Australia......?
Good if you want to Bruce up your box.
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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2016, 12:26:00 AM »

Theo, I haven't come across Sheila polish, is it easily available?

Should be shellac.   Corrected now.

Actually there really is a product called Sheila polish, or at least 'Sheila Shine' - it's for polishing stainless steel. I did wonder whether Theo was advocating this.  ;)
See here.
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Steve
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Harmonicatunes

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2016, 12:26:30 AM »

The scruffed up look of the old Hohners is part of their charm. That said, any pointers for cleaning up old grills. A cloth, some Brasso and elbow grease?
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Steve_freereeder

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2016, 12:33:42 AM »

...any pointers for cleaning up old grilles. A cloth, some Brasso and elbow grease?
Clean off the rust and corrosion with metal polish, e.g. Brasso, then spray with metallic silver* car touch-up paint. A small size aerosol spray can will do the trick.
You can spray the grille cloth too, or if it is too far gone, remove it and glue on a new cloth after spraying the grille.

*Or any other colour which takes your fancy.
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Steve
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Broadland Boy

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2016, 12:54:48 AM »

The 45 quid price takes the shine right off that Sheila for me Steve  :(

Welcome Wolfgang - sometimes these old boxes look fine with a bit of cleaning and polishing but carrying their old scars - the exception seems to be the grille cloth if this looks bad it spoils anything else - find a bookbinder, they use this material (called 'mull' in the UK) on book spines.
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Wolfgang

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Re: Old Hohner box - cosmetics
« Reply #13 on: September 03, 2016, 11:13:47 AM »

Thanks everyone. I have restored it as good as possible. Also fitted a new strap and metal strapholders. The previous owner had a leather strap attached to it with just an old screw straight trough the leather strap and into the body. What an abuse *grrr*. Looks do matter as well, I just love these wooden boxes.
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