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Thread: Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

  1. #1
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    Default Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

    I searched for previous threads on this topic but couldn't find any.

    I have a Nugget F5 with a varnish finish built in 1987 owned by at least a couple of other people before me. There's always been some grimy build up around the scroll, points and where the neck meets the body. I think Paul Hostetter would have called this "schmutz." What's the best way to clean this up without harming the finish underneath?

  2. #2

    Default Re: Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

    A soft, damp rag and a bit of elbow grease should do it.

    Len B.
    Clearwaater, FL

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    Default Re: Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

    Saliva, Q-tips and soft cloth. The enzymes in saliva help dissolve the crud, the viscosity keeps it from going where you don't want it. I've used this method on a number of grotty violins with great success.

  4. The following members say thank you to Bob A for this post:

    LiamB 

  5. #4

    Default Re: Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

    I have a Silver Angel mandolin from the 90's with a varnish finish and have recently found the Knilling Classic Violin polish works very well with it: http://www.harmonsmusicshop.com/prod...2-oz-6207.html

    Hope this helps! This is also my first post on the cafe!

  6. #5
    Registered User Ranald's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

    I asked a similar question, and got these responses from the helpful folks here at the Cafe:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...-your-mandolin
    Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
    "I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
    Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.

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    Default Re: Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

    Thanks Ranald, your thread was just a little earlier this month! I should have been able find it with a search! Thanks again to all the respondents.

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    Ranald 

  9. #7
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    Default Re: Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

    Well, I used a slightly damp cloth and it got rid of the crud, but now it the finish has a cloudy look. So be careful, a damp cloth may work on some finishes but not all. Perhaps try a small patch first to see the results first. I think I'll take it to my luthier.

  10. #8

    Default Re: Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

    So what happened with this, fix itself hopefully?
    Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga

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    Default Re: Best Way to Clean and Old Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by MichaelMando View Post
    I have a Silver Angel mandolin from the 90's with a varnish finish and have recently found the Knilling Classic Violin polish works very well with it: http://www.harmonsmusicshop.com/prod...2-oz-6207.html

    Hope this helps! This is also my first post on the cafe!
    It looks good, but it all depends on the degree of pollution. If it is very dirty or rare, then this is ideal. In another case, you can handle using cotton buds

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