bleaching ivories: E-Z

[tlneely]

     An inexpensive source of peroxide suitable for bleaching ivories, is the ladies hair color aisle in your favoeite store. Most commonly found is Clairoxide by Clairol. Years ago, a museum conservator taught me to apply with a cotton swab, and let sit, checking every so often to monitor color. When the correct color is achieved, rinse with clear water thoroughly to stop the reaction. This method will result in perfectly clean ivories with all pores clearly visible due to all finger oils and residue being bleached and washed out. You can then polish as desired to achieve the desired gloss. 
     Ivory is a very fragile substance and use of anything stronger, can result in disaster, as related by some contributers. It can also become VERY brittle if over bleached. This method can be used with the ivories attached or loose. If too much water is used, the loose ivories will warp, but as mentioned before, clamping the wet ivory in a flat caul will flatten them perfectly.
     Hope this helps.    
     Terry Neely
     

-----Original Message-----
From: Dean May <DeanMay@PianoRebuilders.com>
Sent: Mar 12, 2004 6:45 AM
To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
Subject: RE: bleaching ivories: E-Z

So where do you get 30%?

Dean

Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf
Of Richard Brekne
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 6:42 AM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Re: bleaching ivories: E-Z

John Ross wrote:

>Make sure it is the 30% variety, the normal stuff on the shelf, does not
>work.
>Regards,
>
>
>>
>>

Yes... thanks for adding that point John.

ricB

>>
>>
>>>I have also experimented with spare ivory tops, using laundry bleach.
>>>I soaked for different lengths of time.  Some for several hours.  I do
>>>remember that they turned to mush.  Literally mush.  The tails I
>>>soaked would not hold their own weight.  It was like picking up
>>>pasta.  I don't remember how the shorter times turned out.  But, the
>>>impression I took away from the experiment was that bleach is probably
>>>not the best for ivory.
>>>
>>>Mike Bratcher
>>>
>>>
>>A little hydrogen peroxide goes a long ways
>>
>>RicB
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