Removing scratches/repairing plastic comb on Chrometta 12 (red comb)

[drfrancov]

I thought I should post this as it might be of help to someone else.

I got a Chrometta 12, the red comb old ones. The comb has very few dents and more than a few scratches, it also looked opaque.

I removed the scratches and polished it this way:

1) Start with Micro-mesh 1500 then 1800 then 2400 then 3200 and then 3600. This will remove the scratches but the surface will loke matte.
2) To get it to higher gloss continue with Micro-mesh 4000 then 6000 then 8000 and finish with 12000.
3) It will look between matte and semi-gloss by then (at least to me), so here is my little secret: polish with Meguiars Mirror Glaze 4 and then Meguias Mirror Glaze 7.
4) To top it off, polish one more time with Micro-gloss liquid abrasive.

You will get a nice semi-gloss/gloss finish! It will feel extremely smooth and the scratches are all gone!

Hope it helps!

[kc_liaw]

just wander... is the reed plate attached to comb by screws or nails ?

[drfrancov]

Screws.

[Philos]

drfrancov, just wondering do you work on aircraft? This procedure you have described is very similar to the procedure we use to remove scratches from Boeing and Airbus acrylic external passenger windows. I'm sure it works very well on plastic harmonka combs too.

[Grizzly]

Hmm…If you want it in kit form, try the stuff from an automobile supply store for dressing clouded headlight lenses. I did one on a car once, and it came out looking like new.

Tom

[kc_liaw]

did any one can share.. on chrometta.. which model use nails.. ? which model use screws.. ? .. i mean the attachment of reed plates to its comb..

i tot of getting one of two from ebay.. but prefer screws type. ..

if of 'nail' type.. any convenience ways to replace it with 'screw' .. the plastic look so fragile and brittle.. can break off with simple snap... ..

cheers

[Sander]

did any one can share.. on chrometta.. which model use nails.. ? which model use screws.. ? .. i mean the attachment of reed plates to its comb..

To my best knowledge:
- Red comb: always nails (except the one drfrancov's got, apparently)
The red combs were replaced by the black ones because of the brittleness of the red comb material.

- Black comb, older cover plates: usually nails (see older.jpg)
- Black comb, newer cover plates: usually screws. (see newer.jpg)

(other chrometta players: please pipe in to correct if necessary)

[kc_liaw]

for heaven's sake... i just grab one red comb chrometta from ebay.. .. what the pitty...

[opendoorharps]

Great tip @drfrancov on buffing out the scratches.  This is good info for other comb materials as well.

I've had a red comb Chrometta 12 that is still kicking from the late 70's that I'm quite fond of since it has made it this far along in my harmonica journeys.  I've repaired a few of them too, and done a few mods on my own.  The red comb models I've come across are usually cracked and chipped in some fashion or another, but still playable.

All the red comb ones I've opened up are nailed reed plates.  They are long nails too, and I have to be very careful in removing the reed plates not to make any more new cracks or damage the comb, or bend the nails.   

Swapping out the nails for bolts would be an option and make it much easier to get at the reeds and wind savers when needed.  My biggest beef with the Chrometta is the leakiness of the mouth piece design.  There is one modification I've tried that was recommended by Winslow Yerxa that helps a bit to make the slider thicker. 

"But you can improve airtightness on the Chrometta with a simple trick: make the slide thicker. To do this, apply adhesive tape to one surface of the slide, then cut out the air holes. Use thin, smooth tape such as the frosty-surface tape you'd use to tape paper together. "

http://www.bluesharmonica.com/chrometta_12

Any other tips folks have come across for optimizing the Chrometta 12 are most welcome.