Polishing bamboo flutes

[kyorei]

Hi folks, I'm a shakuhachi player who also occasionally attempts a bit of making.

I was wondering what techniques people recommend for getting a nice polish on bamboo. I dont want to use any lacquers or anything - just get a bit of shine back on one of my flutes. it used to have a lovely silky-satin gloss, especially on the areas where the bamboo has been cut (on the ends) or ground, but has become somewhat dull over the years.

cheers,

ben

[jwalter227]

Hi Ben,
I make flutes. There are several ways you can polish bamboo.
1. If green bamboo, you can fire cure it with a propane torch. Burn a section at a time, then while the resin is liquid, polish vigorously with a soft cloth. This finish will last indefinitely.
2. For existing flutes, you can submerge in walnut oil, mineral oil or even olive oil. If submerged in walnut oil, leave 24 hrs. Wipe off excess and repeat about every two to three months.
3. You can also use "Trewax", a natural wax with carnuba. Follow label directions.
4. Go to Woodcraft if you have one in your town. They can recommend several natural waxes. I hope this helps you, Jay

[kyorei]

cheers Jay,

They are not home made flutes, but professionally made shakuhachi, so i'd be a bit worried about dunking them in oil for 24 hrs :) - how would that affect the urushi, bindings, cracks, etc...

heres a pic of them:

http://static.flickr.com/41/85488123_00860cd607.jpg

the 2.4 is a Tom Deaver flute, and the 1.8 is Yamaguchi Shugetsu

so ill investigate the wax polishes i can find at the local hardware store - Im living in Japan at the moment, so it might be an interesting excercise...

but thanks for your help.

Ben

[jwalter227]

Hi Ben,
No, I would not recommend dunking a wrapped shakuhachi in oil, but you said you were interested in making your own. I have made them from root ends and used my fire cure method- no wrapping needed. They are only wrapped as insurance against cracking. I have never had one crack that I made. The resin from fire curing is the hardest finish I have ever seen. You can hand rub oil on the outside and tape the holes and pour oil inside, CAREFULLY. Best of luck, Jay Austin, TX

[KODOAN]

Have you considered #000 steel wool and lightly buffing?

I would suggest picking a spot on the back (maybe just above the thumbhole) and buff with a very light hand. Don't use chemicals, oils, or the like; just very fine steel wool and a light touch. If this looks like it's working, continue carefully to the rest of the flute.

[TribalWind]

can try mineral oil, (normally sold for digestive trobles ;) )

small buffing wheel and beeswax or carnuba(harder finish) will work even nicer

if you plan to make more flutes,
might be worth buying a decent buffer.
heres a cheap one that'd be fine..
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40668

[JEBeck]

Hi Ben,
If you have access to some green bamboo, why not heat cure it and use the oils from those to treat your shakuhachi?
You could use a propane torch, like Jay suggested, with a spreader tip.
I use a variable temp heat gun with a curved pipe tip.
If you gently pre-heat your shakuhachi, the oils will spread and absorb better too. I would not use the propane torch for that though...
Use a lint free cloth, like those for furniture staining/varnishing.
If you have a gun cleaning kit, or something like one, you can treat the inside also.
Hope this helps,
John