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Re: Cleaning Nickle Silver - question 2

Author: Robert Warren
Date: 2015-10-09 13:14

I am sure that the silver cloths that some use to wipe down chrome finishes take the fingerprints off, but the oxidation of chrome and silver produce two different oxides. If you REALLY want to see for yourself, treat a small, unseen area of your chrome instrument with Tarn-X and let it sit for a few days. The Tarn-X (which is meant to clean silver) will actually corrode the chrome in time.

I found this out after I was brought a beautiful Vito whose owner tried to shine up her keys with Tarn-X. It was a mess, and she was in tears. The best product for cleaning chrome is Simichrome Polish, imported from Germany by Competition Chemicals, Inc. Iowa Falls, Iowa.

It's available in 1.76 tubes as well as in cans and tubs in various sizes. (You can find it very easily online and it is also available in professional culinary equipment stores). Only a small amount is needed to clean the area of a key, and a buffing wheel might be helpful, though I cleaned the clarinet keys by hand, using a Q tip and a rag. It continues to be an effective cleaner even after it turns the rag black!

Williams-Sonoma carries a product called Wenol which may be the same product. It too is made in Germany.

I hope this helps.

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