 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2005-03-10 15:32
I received a plastic Bundy Bb clarinet today that I purchased on E-bay to donate to a local high school. They have a couple of 7th graders who need instruments. There are a few scratches and even though it does not hinder the operation of the instrument if anyone can tell me a proper method to remove the scratches I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
jmsa
jmsa
Post Edited (2005-03-10 15:57)
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-03-10 18:23
I realize that kids love shiny new things, JMSA, so it depends on your particular situation. Scratches can be filled with epoxy, Ferree's magic something-or-other or your local plastics store most likely has a filler that'll work well. Then it can be carefully scraped, sanded and buffed to almost new appearance. Unless the scratches are really, really bad and the rest of the instrument in like-new condition I personally feel that's more work than the instrument warrants. I'd rather budget the time/money on putting the instrument in tip-top playing condition.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-03-10 18:27
jmsa,
Perhaps one of the following would work: automotive rubbing compound; ceramic cooktop polish; or 0000 grade steel wool.
Steel wool is messy, but fragments can be collected with a magnet.
It might be wise to test a small inconspicuous area first.
Good luck,
Hans
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2005-03-10 19:49
Thanks for the information. I really appreciate it.
jmsa
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2005-03-11 11:18
You can't really REMOVE a scratch, but that may be pedantic semantics! Some options are:
1. Fill it if it is really deep. epoxy with black pigment, or super glue, but these can make a dreadful mess, as these damage the surface of surrounding plastic.
2. With some metals or even plastics you could 'burnish' it - rub with a very smooth, hard surface, perhaps with a greasy lubricant - in order to push the raised material beside the scratch, back into the scratch where it came from.
3. Probably the most viable... take the surrounding material down to the level of the bottom of the scratch.
One can use scrapers, sand-paper, or other means as others have suggested. I would suggest very fine sand paper over a flat surface, say an ice-block stick, nail file or similar, taking care not to introduce 'flats' on the curved surface of the clarinet, perhaps followed by the sand paper over a more 'giving' backing, such as a finger, to further reduce any flats. (The FLAT backing helps to reduce the area attacked by the sandpaper.) Certain brass cleaners such as Brasso are excellent for restoring a high polish after the fine sand paper. Plenty of rubbing is needed. Of course this polishing is not suitable on a dull or scratch surface.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-03-11 21:10
Thanks to Gordon the Pro for verifying my gut feeling that there's no surefire easy way to do it for do-it-yourselfers. The buffing/burnishing is easiest and might work.....based on my experience. Tell the kid it was used by a pro player. .....and it may just have been.
Bob Draznik
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