Finishes
The most common are lacquers and varnishes. Both lacquers and varnishes are sensitive to UV rays. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause yellowing or cracks in the finish.
Original finishes are very important to the value of heirloom instrument. Do not alter or remove them if possible.
If an instrument has questionable damage, consult with someone with knowledge of the instrument's construction and conservation techniquest - this does not include dealers, collectors, traditional instrument makers and musicians. Restoration by unknowledgeable individuals can result in irreversible and costly damage to a valuable object.
Leather Straps
One common condition of deteriorating leather is known as "red rot." Red rot occurs when excessive acidity in the leather causes the exterior grain to become a reddish-orange powder; and the leather darkens on contact with water.
Do not attempt to lubricate the leather with cleaners, saddle soaps or oils. This will cause irreversible damage.
Saving Kentucky's History - Preserving Musical Instruments
Wooden Instruments - Use and Display
- A wooden instrument does not have to played regularly to maintain its tonal qualities; however no instrument should be played unless it has been tuned recently.
- Keyboard instruments should be tuned every six months. If your piece is an antique, consult an expert in dealing with historic instruments. Not all piano or organ tuners are knowledgeable about the care/maintenance of older parts.
- Keep wooden instruments away from heating registers, radiators, fireplaces and air conditioning vents. Subjecting them to extreme fluctuations of temperature and humidity levels can do major damage to both exterior and interior components.
- Old pianos, especially grand pianos, need to be kept reasonably free of dust. Keep lids closed as much as possible. This will also help keep the instrument in tune longer.
- Keep strings on instruments such as violins and violas slackened to a tension slightly lower than playing pitch. Too much tension can cause parts to warp over time. In loosening the strings, make sure the bridge remains in place.
Wooden Instruments - Care
- Don't use furniture polish to clean the exterior. It can soften the finish if overused, and the silicone & oils present in many household brands can even contaminate the wood, despite what the labels may say.
- Lightly dust with a soft cloth; if that does not remove the dirt, gently rub with a soft rag moistened in water to which has been added a few drops of mild detergent. (Avoid anti-bacterial detergents; these contain harsh chemicals that can damage the finish.) Do not oversaturate the wood, or use too much detergent: these build up causing flaking or discoloration.
- Do not attempt to clean damaged and flaking painted areas. Water may be absorbed by the dry exposed wood, causing it to mold or mildew.
Wooden Instruments - Storage
- In the case of a portable instrument, store it in its original case. If the fabric inside the case is in bad condition, lightly pad the interior with buffered acid-free tissues/paper.
- Remove any supplemental devices, such as mutes, before storing.
- Store keyboard instruments in areas with moderate light levels, room humidity of 40 to 50% and avoid temperatures above 72° F.
Metal Instruments - Use and Display
- As with wooden instruments, keep metallic instruments away from heating registers, radiators, fireplaces and air conditioning vents. Subjecting them to extreme fluctuations of temperature and humidity levels can do major damage to both exterior and interior components.
- Do not play an antique metal instrument more than necessary. In the case of wind instruments, breath passing through condenses inside and can cause corrosion. When the instrument must be played, make sure to empty then wipe out all valves and the mouthpiece with a soft cloth.
Metal Instruments - Care
- A mildly tarnished instrument can be cleaned with a jeweler's cloth. Remember that chemical polishes remove metal: each time a piece is polished, some metal is worn away. Try to keep polishing to a minimum, and store the instrument when not on display or in use.
- Lightly lubricate all moving parts by applying lubricating oil with a small pointed object. Do not let the oil drip onto the surface: this can cause spots of discoloration or tarnish.
Metal Instruments - Storage
- Remove all reeds, mouthpieces and mutes before storing.
- Like wooden instruments, store a metallic instrument in its original case. If the fabric inside the case is in bad condition, lightly pad the interior with buffered acid-free tissues/paper. If the case allows air to leak in (and eventually cause tarnishing), store the case in an acrylic container or a polyethylene bag.
Glossary
acid-free tissue - In the course of time most tissue paper will become acidic and brittle with age. The acidity will transfer to adjacent objects causing these objects to become weaker and possibly discolored. Acid free tissue papers are specially processed to remove such contaminants. An 18 pound weight paper is useful for quilts, coverlets, and the storage of other flat textiles. For stuffing or interleaving, a lighter 12 pound paper is better. This lighter acid free paper is also known as "laminating tissue."
conservator - persons who periodically
examine objects, document their condition, and, if necessary, treat and repair
them to protect collections over time.
For more information or to locate a professional conservator, visit The
American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works.
muslin - a thin plain-weave cotton cloth used for curtains, sheets, and dresses
PAT test (photographic activity test) - a test that predicts possible interactions between photographic images and the enclosures in which they are stored. Boxes or other types of enclosures that hold several images, even if those images are in envelopes or sleeves, should be tested too. Many of the harmful chemicals in poor-quality enclosures can become airborne and, over time, work their way to the photograph.
PVC pipe - a lightweight, durable, and waterproof plastic pipe used for plumbing
polyethylene bags - flexible, extremely tough, and chemical-resistant plastic bags commonly used as sandwich or freezer storage
ragboard - board made from cotton and contains no wood (lignins). Little pulping or purification is required because cotton is the purest natural form of cellulose. Rag board is also called Museum Board, is acid-free and meets the standards set by the Library of Congress for museum quality matboard. It is available with or without buffering.
unbuffered - containing neither alkaline nor acid