OpenTube

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

Kevin Lee Luthier Master Violin Maker

161,166 views

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!
Instagram: kevin_lee_luthier
Facebook: kevinlee.luthier

websites:
https://www.kevinleeluthier.com/
http://the-romantic-school-of-music.com/

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
https://www.amazon.com/Donegan-OptiVi...

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

Lens
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...

Microphone
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

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
https://www.amazon.com/Rotary-Cutting...

Rotary Cutter
https://www.amazon.com/OLFA-9551-Stra...

Joha Varnish Cleaner
https://www.violinpros.com/products/j...
https://theviolincenter.com/collectio...

Brushes:
-
Grumbacher 7702 1" brush = I couldn't find it online = use your best judgement.
-
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.
-
4mm ( 0 size) stiff bristle brush = at you local craft store

Surgical scissors
???
https://www.amazon.com/STT-IRSTR5-Dis...

Violin Restoration:
https://www.amazon.com/Violin-Restora...

Two Trees
http://the-romantic-school-of-music.c...

Squeeze bottles:
I purchased:
https://hvchemical.com/product/boston...
-
or?
https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Droppe...

Steel Wool
???
https://www.amazon.com/Briwax-Oil-Fre...

Diamond Round Toothpicks
https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Round-...

HILL Peg Compound
https://www.amazon.com/HILL-Original-...

Minwax ebony stain & sealer
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Ebony...

Lightbulb on my light
https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Bu...

18 gage multistrand wire = local hardware store

scoop for wires
https://www.amazon.com/Shovel-Diamond...

The Plastic Case
https://www.amazon.com/IRIS-Portable-...

Tiny Q-Tips: ?:
https://www.amazon.com/TecUnite-Piece...

Wow! This was a lot of work. You can donate in $2 increments at:
http://the-romantic-school-of-music.c...

20 Comments

@tomseadon9965 6 years ago (edited)

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

@piotrszarek9802 3 years ago

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.

@aesoundforge 2 years ago

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

@nickiemcnichols5397 1 year ago

This isn’t magic, Kevin. This is very skillful hard work.

@GordonGennotti 2 years ago

I just restored a 1946 violin this video helped tremendously

@aaroncurry279 1 year ago

Okay. I don’t even know why I’m here, but I just watched this entire violin cleaning tutorial. I’m into detailing guitars, but this is an entirely different level of satisfaction. Your gentle narration and excellent video footage along with your obvious passion, attention to detail and expertise made this video a pleasure to watch. I’m totally subbed. Thank you and God bless.

@brad42948 5 years ago

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

@HoffmasterB 3 years ago

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

@oldgoatpatrol5179 3 years ago

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.

@ShinjiCarlos 6 years ago

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

Thank you so much!

@BarbAFB55 6 years ago (edited)

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

@alexduran5704 5 years ago

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

@metinbasharan 4 months ago

Just post videos of you cleaning up old violins. I would watch those all day. So satisfying :)

@nickyork8901 4 years ago

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.

@markmaupin793 4 years ago

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

@stephenkormanyos766 5 years ago

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.

@medicinemadisonofficial 4 years ago

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!

@Schubert392 4 years ago (edited)

"If not polished often, the rosin can make the violin look dull, or ruin completely."
Me: Instantly begins rigorously sweeping violin hoping it's not too late.

@Swamie55 9 months ago

A true craftsman , even though I'm sax player I have found Kevin's vids really fascinating!

@mccypr 6 years ago

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!