MingLoo Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Does anyone have any recommendations to freshen a violin case? I acquired some cases from an estate sale, in a little town known for dust storms, and the cases are basically clean and bug-free, but there's some dust and lint. I was wondering if Febreeze (the fabric spray, not the room deodorizer) would be appropriate? TIA Ming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiddleDoug Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Yes, Febreeze will work. Give it a good blast to dampen the fabric, leave it closed for a couple of hours, then open it up and get it out into the sun and fresh air. Might take a couple of treatments in some cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skiingfiddler Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 I would not use a liquid spray of any kind. I would worry that the liquid would bond any loose dirt or dust in the case to the case lining, or possibly that the spray, once dry, might leave a residue that would interact with varnish. For the dust, a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool attachment works well. Just make sure that the vacuum is not too powerful to avoid ripping the lining from the case shell. If, after vacuuming, there's a musty smell, try some deodorizing techniques of various levels of possible harm. Level 1: Leave the opened, vacuumed out case outside in fresh air for about an hour or two. If that doesn't help: Level 2: Sprinkle dry baking soda all over the inside of the case, close case, and leave baking soda in case for a day or two. Then vacuum the baking soda out thoroughly. If that doesn't help: Level 3: Arm and Hammer, the baking soda folks, have some deodorizing powders for rugs that carry a slight fragrance. Try filling the case with one of those powders, leave it for a week, and then vacuum out. Make sure you select a powder whose fragrance you are willing to live with. After a level 2 attempt, try level 1 again before going on to level 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Dorsey Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Skiingfiddler's suggestions are all good. If you have an air compressor, you could also blow the cases out with compressed air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iburkard Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 If they are wooden coffin cases, you may need to reline them, which will take some work, and may not be worth the time spent. It's fun to do though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_Molnar Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 I suggest that you finish cleaning with a drop of Spike Lavender (not Rosemary - sorry) oil in a couple of corners away from touching the violin or bow. The pleasant smelling oil will keep away bow hair eating varmints. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve R. Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 a drop of Rosemary oil ... keep away bow hair eating varmints.Would a well rinsed and dried (not wet) sprig of fresh rosemary work as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_Molnar Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Would a well rinsed and dried (not wet) sprig of fresh rosemary work as well? No, I meant Spike Lavender, but who knows, rosemary wouldn't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.Fenestrate Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 I have acquired a few fiddles that came in old funky cases and I have put a sheet of fabric softener in each case where it will not contact the fiddle. So far it seems to be doing some good but I estimate it will take a while to do the whole job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iburkard Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Be careful with fresh dryer sheets. This was recommended to me once for deodorizing smelly books. I guess it depends on the brand of sheet, but residue is an issue. It might be better to use ones that have gone through the dryer, but that kind of kills the deodorizing properties. There are lots of spray deodorizers, but again, don't know about residue. The baking soda is a good idea... just vacuum it out when you're done, no scented oiliness to worry about. You might as well stick a chicken or turkey in the case if you are deodorizing with rosemary... put it in the oven at 375... oh yeah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_Molnar Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 ... .You might as well stick a chicken or turkey in the case if you are deodorizing with rosemary... put it in the oven at 375... oh yeah. And baste often with turps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.B.Fiddler Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 I believe Dmitri Musafia suggests compressed air - not vacuuming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skiingfiddler Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 I believe Dmitri Musafia suggests compressed air - not vacuuming. You definitely want to be careful if you try vacuuming to avoid pulling lining and ornamentation away from the shell. I have a crevice tool vacuum attachment that has a slit on the side to lower suction power but provides enough suction to pick up dust without damaging lining. I've used that vacuum head extensively on a Musafia case with no bad effects. Like any recommendation about a tool, the user needs to use caution and common sense. If you tell two people to use a soft cotton cloth to wipe off their fiddles, one of the two will do just fine and the other will manage to leave visible scratches in the varnish from all the excessive rubbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MingLoo Posted April 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Skiingfiddler's suggestions are all good. If you have an air compressor, you could also blow the cases out with compressed air. Do you mean something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Slime-COMP04-Portabl.../dp/B000ET6ZNI/ I'm not good with machinery, and I don't want to get something that I will hurt myself or someone with, or blow a hole in the floor. This is the cheapest one I could find on Amazon, but "Slime" isn't a particularly good name for a company... For a few dollars more, here's another, perhaps better one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ET9SA...d_luc_sim_01_03 Can this contraption be used to inflate bicycle tires? If so, I'm sold; I've always used the "walk the bike to the gas station" method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skiingfiddler Posted April 24, 2009 Report Share Posted April 24, 2009 Can this contraption be used to inflate bicycle tires? If so, I'm sold; I've always used the "walk the bike to the gas station" method. From what I see in the inflaters you've pictured, the only thing they'd work on would be tires which have what are called schrader valves, the kind you find on fat tired bicycle tires and car tires. The devices you've pictured would plug into the electrical socket in a car and could not be plugged into a normal house electrical socket. If you want to try something that works like an air compressor would work for your violin case, try a hair dryer with the heat turned off, if that's possible. Start with the weakest blowing strength, cranking up only if it seems necessary. The strongest blowing setting on a hair dryer may not be enough blowing power, or maybe it will be. If not, you can look for something that produces a stronger stream of air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MingLoo Posted April 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 From what I see in the inflaters you've pictured, the only thing they'd work on would be tires which have what are called schrader valves, the kind you find on fat tired bicycle tires and car tires. The devices you've pictured would plug into the electrical socket in a car and could not be plugged into a normal house electrical socket.If you want to try something that works like an air compressor would work for your violin case, try a hair dryer with the heat turned off, if that's possible. Start with the weakest blowing strength, cranking up only if it seems necessary. The strongest blowing setting on a hair dryer may not be enough blowing power, or maybe it will be. If not, you can look for something that produces a stronger stream of air. I'm grateful that you told me that; I would not have known that, and I nearly bought the thing. These are not expensive cases, but student violin cases such as SAGA SV-175's come in; I still favor the Febreeze treatment, as suggested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiddleDoug Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Try the Febreeze out on one of the cases. I've had it work, and here's a post on another forum where it worked. http://www.fiddlehangout.com/forum/topic.a...hTerms=Febreeze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hart Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Does Glenn20 exist in your country? It's perfect for deodorising... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MingLoo Posted April 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Does Glenn20 exist in your country? It's perfect for deodorising... I really don't think so; at least I've never heard of it. If they're going to sell, it's probably important to use some product which is both pleasant and familiar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hart Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 well, it is here anyway. It is a hospital-grade spray disinfectant which killls bacteria, hence odours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fellow Posted April 25, 2009 Report Share Posted April 25, 2009 Does anyone have any recommendations to freshen a violin case? I acquired some cases from an estate sale, in a little town known for dust storms, and the cases are basically clean and bug-free, but there's some dust and lint. I was wondering if Febreeze (the fabric spray, not the room deodorizer) would be appropriate? TIA Ming ++++++++++++++++ Let the sun dry it. Vacuum it. If you use chemical, be sure it is harmless to breathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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