Double Bass Rosin scraping

[SAlcott]

I read somewhere that rosin can be cleaned off the top of a bass using an old credit card. My question is: Good or bad idea, and if good, across or with the grain?

 

[james condino]

Burnish one edge to add a "hook" or "bead" like you would with a card / cabinet scraper first. Then you should be able to scrape away the rosin. Make a few delicate practice runs. The wood, the rosin, and the scraper will let you know the best direction.

 

[1st Bass]

Turpentine on a soft cloth might serve, without endangering your varnish.

 

[jj.833]

I'm using ethanol on a cloth for the bridge, then the same still a bit wet cloth on the top. Works ok with shellac finish. My luthier told me to do it so. But mostly I just use dry cloth, say twice a month, and it works too.

 

[1st Bass]

Well…
Shellac is NOT soluble in turpentine, while rosin IS.

Both are soluble in Ethanol.

Your call…

 

[SAlcott]

I used an old Staples copy center card, worked with the grain, and it came out great.

 

[BassFalcon]

If turpentine and/or a rag don’t tickle your fancy several companies make products to do exactly this. Petz comes to mind immediately, though there are others.

 

[SAlcott]

I got it done.

 

[turf3]

Do you know whether your bass finish is the old traditional "varnish" (= shellac) or one of the new finishes? I know that mine, with traditional "varnish" is instantly susceptible to damage from ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. (I know that your post indicates you didn't use any solvent at all.)

Did you find that the little grains of rosin had sunk into the finish? It seems like mine is kind of that way. However, I haven't tried a gentle scraper (as the plastic card). No way I'm going to try a metal scraper.

 

[SAlcott]

Bass is from ca.1890 with age-appropriate finish. I used only the plastic card-no solvent.