Violin finish

October 27, 2010 at 05:38 AM ·

Not long ago, I bought a violin on eBay. It is very nice, play very good. I handling the instrument I made a blot of something on the side of it. I took a Kleenex and wet it with water and start to rub delicately to remover the stain. I was horrified by the result, the wet Kleenex remove the color on the violin showing the bare wood. Not completely remover but almost. It look lithe the violin only have water stain on it. What I cannot understand is that the instrument is shining not glass shine but shining. Any idea what is going on? Any idea what to use for cleaning it?

Replies (15)

Laurie Niles

October 27, 2010 at 05:39 AM ·

What did you pay for the "really good" fiddle?

Veronica Jackson

October 27, 2010 at 10:57 AM ·

You need to take it to a luthier for an assessment to see what's going on....

The finish on your violin will most likely have some sort of water soluable varnish, e.g. a low grade "Orange Shellac" which can be water soluble, or water based acrylic varnish...

Trevor Jennings

October 27, 2010 at 11:17 AM ·

It's possible the violin may sound better in its "white" state with all that stuff removed. You may wish to consider whether it is worth having a proper revarnishing job done. See what your luthier says.

Trevor Jennings

October 27, 2010 at 11:23 AM ·

Just a thought, but if that violin has no obvious named maker I wonder if it could have been made from a kit.

André Paris

October 27, 2010 at 04:58 PM ·

This violin was bought at old violin house directly. I did not bid for it I bought it.

It is a royal violin with the fancy carving on top, back, scroll, even on the tuning pegs.

When I receive the violin, I had a luthier set it up for me. He did not notice anything wrong.

2 day ago I was showing it to a group of violin maker about 20 busy peoples. They all took a look at it and found it beautiful. 4 good fiddlers there have tried it and fond the paying and sound perfect.

It is just that I have to keep my nose from dripping on my violin.

Also I did clean the tip before it seem to be just on the side of the violin

Just taught you guys could tell me with what product could this violin be clean.

If picture are permitted, here is a picture link. This is not the one I bought but one like it.

http://www.ovistrings.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/6051-11.jpg

Dion Ackermann

October 27, 2010 at 05:53 PM ·

That is a beautiful violin and the pro level usually have very good sound quality, a bargain for the few hundred dollars they are priced at. I can only imagine that the substance that was dropped on it was very strident. You mention nose dropping but are there other chemicals involved? Consult the seller, they are always very helpful and will do anything not to get negative feedback.

Nicolas Temino

October 27, 2010 at 07:13 PM ·

Old violin house's violins are varnished wiith oil varnish It seems quite strange to me what has happened to you. Are you completely sure that only water was involved?

André Paris

October 27, 2010 at 07:43 PM ·

We have done more testing on the violin.

Water does not dissolve the finish on the violin, obviously there must benne some kind of product on the Kleenex I use that did the dissolving of the varnish. It my mistake, I jump at conclusion to fast, now I have to find product to repair the side white stain.

Sorry gang

Dion Ackermann

October 28, 2010 at 05:53 AM ·

Andre the damage is done in fat letters and who will remember your retraction. Another urban legend is on the way.

Michael Pijoan

October 28, 2010 at 07:29 AM ·

Take it to a luthier. If the varnish is harmed or washed away then only a trained professional luthier should deal with it. You shouldn't be experimenting on it or trying to find a product to do it yourself. If you have to ask on a forum then you have no idea what you're doing and you should have taken it to a luthier yesterday.

Matthew Fuller

October 28, 2010 at 07:43 PM ·

The seller is very responsive to questions and comments: I have an instrument from him, and he's always quick to respond to email and has good suggestions.

Y Cheung

October 30, 2010 at 07:27 AM ·

Check your Kleenex box. If it is Kleenex Lotion Facial Tissue, it may contain these ingredients: Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Ceresin, Stearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract.

Veronica Jackson

November 1, 2010 at 12:05 PM ·

If the kleenex is what took the varnish off your violin, imagine what it would be doing to your nose

David Burgess

November 1, 2010 at 01:41 PM ·

Hmmm, I wonder if nose varnish was used on the violin? ;-)

André Paris

November 11, 2010 at 06:49 PM ·

I brought the situation to ovistrings.com.

They have reply friendly.

They will send me the material if I need to repair myself.

It only needs patience to get it since the have to get the material from the maker.