dpappas Posted August 27, 2019 Report Share Posted August 27, 2019 I searched, hoping this had already been covered, but found nothing. I have a violin with a bridge that has a bit of darkened rosin built up and perhaps marks from a rubber mute on it. I could replace the bridge, but I like the sound I'm getting from this instrument. Are there any safe tricks for cleaning a bridge? Since it's unvarnished I wasn't sure if it's possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Violin Beautiful Posted August 27, 2019 Report Share Posted August 27, 2019 Bridges aren’t that easy to clean. You might try a brush with stiff bristles. I’ve seen someone lightly sand the surface, but I’m leery of sanding, as it’s too easy to mar the finish. Some recommend using hot water and boiling the bridge. I don’t recommend it because it can warp the bridge and change the fit. Especially if the bridge is unfinished, avoid using liquids to clean, because they can seep into the wood and discolor and/or weaken it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoPractice Posted August 27, 2019 Report Share Posted August 27, 2019 It's been dirty for awhile right? Most of it would scrape off easily. For those who do not have experience in removing bridges, take the instrument to your favorite luthier. I have my favorite knives where the back edge is either hallowed or, like the back of the Morel blades discussed, contoured. One might use that sharpened back edge to scrape the varnish and rubber. The varnish is chippy and chips well and the rubber cleans up nicely if the blade edge hugs the wood. Hold the bridge as one might be shaping it and scrape ( perpendicular to the surface ) along the grain and voila! you will see the surface colour. Do not scrape too aggressively as you will get down into the unexposed wood. There are far more sophisticated ways to achieve this, so watch for following posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpappas Posted August 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2019 Thank you for the suggestions so far. To be clear, I'm happy to leave it as is if cleaning risks the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Preuss Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 I wouldn't worry too much about the sound. I would rather worry about the varnish on the top. If you are skilled enough you can use a cotton swab and put a few drops alcohol on it and then carefully go over the surface of the bridge. I would not try to wipe off any dirt I the region of the feet because you risk to touch the varnish with the swab. In any case it is recommended to place a thin plastic sheet over the varnish. to finish everything you might need a few cotton swabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpappas Posted August 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 Andreas, If you mean the varnish on the top plate, it's pristine. I'm pretty religious about wiping down my instrument and keeping the top clean. It's just the bridge that has gotten surprisingly dirty. I wonder how much of it is rubber markings from my old practice mute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Noon Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 I wouldn't want to try cleaning a bridge while it's still on the instrument. When it's off, then there's not much danger using alcohol or scrubbing/scraping. However, there's the danger of the soundpost falling or shifting, so there's that to consider... unless you happen to have a string lifter tool. If this makes you nervous, take it to a luthier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpappas Posted August 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 Thanks, Don. I planned on doing it the next time the strings are off or if I get a string jack. I appreciate the advice, as I don't want to go near my instrument with any solvents (I'm a chemist, I know what will happen). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBouquet Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 If your bridge staining is marks from your rubber mute, as you seem to suspect, it will come off pretty much instantly with a little isopropynol (rubbing alcohol) on a Q-tip swab. The swab doesn't need to be soaking wet, and you can hold the violin with the bridge down so gravity won't carry the alcohol towards the top. This is not a big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 On 8/27/2019 at 2:50 PM, dpappas said: Thank you for the suggestions so far. To be clear, I'm happy to leave it as is if cleaning risks the sound. If you are happy with the sound, I wouldn't mess with anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoPractice Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 There it is, full circle. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpappas Posted August 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 Thank you to all who replied. I trust David's advice, I'm going to spend the time practicing, rather than fretting over a dirty bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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