Tarnish

Pink Nail Polish · Post by **Pink Nail Polish** » Wed Mar 19, 2003 1:09 am

Hello, I have a question about tarnish. I''ve always had a
problem with it even though I clean my flute regularly. Recently I found that
they gold plate flutes. I read that they don''t tarnish. That makes sense
since my bracelets and ring don''t tarnish. Does anyone have any experience
with haveing a gold plated flute? And if so, should I have my flute gold plated
or just get a new one. I''ve had this one almost 13 years and am quite
attached to it. Thanks Jackie[:)]

sweetensour · Post by **sweetensour** » Wed Mar 19, 2003 1:12 am

i don't really know much about gold plated flutes.. a couple
of my friends have gold mouth pieces. but i don't think it would really be
worth it if it's just so the flute doesn't tarnish. and maybe i'm just
weird... but i love polishing my flute! anyway, there go my 2 cents.

Pink Nail Polish · Post by **Pink Nail Polish** » Wed Mar 19, 2003 2:30 pm

Hello, I like polishing mine too but the older it got, the more
the tarnish wouldn't come off. Especially around the keys and small spaces.
Would a professional cleaner be able to get rid of it? Thanks Jackie[:)]

damjan · Post by **damjan** » Wed Mar 19, 2003 3:35 pm

I take my flute to a professional repairman to get it cleaned
about once a year (ideally, you should take it once every six months). He takes
the whole mechanism apart and cleans everything inside out. It looks great and
even sounds better afterwards and is much more than what I could do by myself,
but it is not that cheap (this person charges ~ $180 just for that). Also, make
sure that the person doing it really knows what he/she is doing, so it will not
negativelly affect the sound and the mechanism.

BandSlave · Post by **BandSlave** » Sat Mar 22, 2003 7:48 pm

Wow, that sounds like a great idea, I may try that!! I usually
polish my flute, but I find that it is difficult to get the tarnish off and
afterward my hands are sooooo discolored! Thanks again! -Abby