How to Really Clean and Polish a Fine Violin / A 'Natural' French Polish / How to Remove Rosin

Cleaning your Violin is important whether it's inexpensive or worth millions of dollars. Here is a rare example that allows the demonstration of almost every technique.

! CORRECTION !: I got so distracted making thIs video that I called the Chinrest a Tailpiece!!!
Thanks Kilimanjarno

NOTE: I do not have the owner's permission to publish information about this violin.

Many original masters put black ink on the chamfers = don't try to remove it!

CONNECT WITH KEVIN LEE LUTHIER!

websites:

List of items:
I DON'T GUARANTEE SUPPLIERS or products, especially if they've changed.
These are direct links / I don't get paid anything for suggesting them.

Startex Denatured alcohol 0 8623670041 9: Sherwin-Williams Paint Stores.

Optivisor

GoPro Hero 5 Black, try a new Hero 7 or 8 Black?

Lens

Microphone

I cut and bent it out of 1/8" aluminum plate.If someone has a better idea, I am open minded!

T-Shirt = At your local Thrift Store. Make sure they are 100% cotton.

Cutting Mat

Rotary Cutter

Joha Varnish Cleaner

Brushes:
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Grumbacher 7702 1" brush = I couldn't find it online = use your best judgement.
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Liquitex Basic 1/2 Stroke 693 U.S.A. (same thing), then I cut the bristles to 13mm or 1/2 inch long to stiffen it up.
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4mm ( 0 size) stiff bristle brush = at you local craft store

Surgical scissors
???

Violin Restoration:

Two Trees

Squeeze bottles:
I purchased:
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or?

Steel Wool
???

Diamond Round Toothpicks

HILL Peg Compound

Minwax ebony stain & sealer

Lightbulb on my light

18 gage multistrand wire = local hardware store

scoop for wires

The Plastic Case

Tiny Q-Tips: ?:

Wow! This was a lot of work. You can donate in $2 increments at:

[tomseadon]

I thought I was a perfectionist when it came to cleaning my acoustic guitar, but this man wrote the book on it!!! Beautiful!

[aesoundforge]

I had no intention of watching the full 46 minutes one sitting but I ended up doing just that! Thank you for posting this!

[piotrszarek]

What you do is a poety for me.
I can't stop watching and listening.
The violin...I bought and started practicing a few months ago at the age of 62. I feel priviliged.

[ShinjiCarlos]

OMG! It's astonishing how you are sharing this precious knowledge with us this way!

Thank you so much!

[stephenkormanyos]

Wow. I’m a violinist but I guess it turns out I know next to nothing about what happens in the shop when I take my instrument in for maintenance. I personally will leave all of this to professionals such as yourself but I thank you so very much for sharing what tremendous skill and artistry is involved with this work. Thank you so much for the video!
Steve K.

[nickyork]

As a keen violinist and amateur violin maker, I found this absolutely fascinating - really interesting and clear explanations, and super filming. What a transformation in the instrument.

[HoffmasterB]

Hi Kevin, Sir.
You just made my day, and probably more after today.
I am so impressed with your talent and skill set. I haven't seen anyone come close to the finesse, perfection, and detail, while patiently performing the task I just witnessed
in a very long time.
Probably about 40 years ago.
I used to help my father repair, refinish, restore, and touch up many
many pieces of antique furniture and any thing related, even antique cabinetry and moldings in antique homes.
Wow, I still have some of the knowledge from those days.
I was 12 years old and until about 20.
Im glad I found your channel!
Im thinking of learning the violin.
I have two to work with.
I feel inspired and want to Thank you for your time and knowledge. Also I look forward to watching more of what you do.
People like you are far and few.
Best Regards,
Brian Hoffmaster
Lancaster County Pa

[BarbAFB]

Brilliant video! The best video on this subject available. I’ve watched every one. Wow! I can hardly wait for the next video.

[medicinemadisonofficial]

This is fabulous! One doesn't even fully realise the terrible state in which this violin actually was until the final reveal! To me in the beginning it just seemed a bit dull yet bit by bit I realised how much buildup there really was. Thanks for sharing such a fascinating video!

[oldgoatpatrol]

Spectacular video, Sir. I love French Polishing. The smell, feel, and results are hard to describe unless you have done it. While watching this video, I could almost feel the perfect friction of the pad on the surface and smell the alcohol and shellac. "Don't ever stop while on the varnish", truer words have never been spoken. You have a gift for presentation.

[alexduran]

Just love the way you share your knowledge Kevin, romantically, poetically and with a purpose. For the love of music.

[deltasquared]

the best way to remove old rosin/dirt from a violin is to use xylene, since almost all violin varnishes are totally unaffected by this solvent (of course try a small area first). Once the violin has been cleaned up, traditionally it is french polished, however there is an alternative way to polish a violin that does not use any solvent or add any finishing material such as shellac or oil; this is by using a wax finish that is very long-lasting, repels dirt and rosin which can easily be wiped off with a rag. The wax finish can easily be removed. The best wax finish I have found is Saphir Medaille d’Or Mirror Gloss - Natural Wax Polish (for Leather Shoes & Boots) it also works great as a polish for wood. This hard wax finish is easy to apply and polishes to a mirror gloss shine extremely easily with very light buffing with a soft cloth. Another very highly recommended polish for violins is Wyman's Furniture Cream, which gives a somewhat softer finish than the Saphir wax.

[GordonGennotti]

I just restored a 1946 violin this video helped tremendously

[ChrisEbbrsen]

Would like if possible, Mr. LEE, DO A COMPLETE BOW RE-HAIR AS AM STUDYING DIFFERENT BOW REHAIR TECHNIQUES. I DONT BELIEVE IVE EVER SEEN MR. LEE TACKLE A BOW REHAIR. AND THIS IS WHAT POWERS A VIOLIN AFTER ALL. THANK YOU MR
LEE, FOR YOUR WONDERFUL TEACHINGS.

[Jerry-ucpn]

Kevin is tenacious in his quest to make the best violin luthier videos on Youtube

[G.H.A.]

My dear, you are such a precious master luthier. I enjoy your style and your love for these beautiful works of art.
Thank you.

[brad]

Probably the best video I've seen on this subject! Your passion for the instrument is infectious :)

[mccypr]

Very helpful! I’m in the process of purchasing a old 19th century violin. It’s a little dirty. Watching this video has me asking the Luthier to clean and polish it. Thanks!

[markmaupin]

Exceptional craftsmanship, patience and resolve. Great great work on a classic!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[johnsee]

How can someone allow a fine instrument such as that to get into that condition? Amazing results! Beyond cleaning or maintenance to the highest level of conservatorship! Impressive!