mike gregory - Posted - 01/06/2012:  12:28:37

I think I might look better as a blonde.

But, I also am repairing an old banjo-mandolin, with a bano UKE sized body.

I have an old head, taken off a tenor, and it's only torn along the edge. Plenty big enough for this little banjo.

I was wondering if it could SAFELY be bleached to look newer, and if so, how many teaspoons or ounces of bleach per pint of water, and how long to leave it soak?

tdennis - Posted - 01/06/2012:  14:14:42

Mike,  If you cut pure liquid bleach w/ 50% water,  dampen a rag,  & swipe it gently, it should  somewhat brighten up your head.   The bleach will dissolve a lot of grime & dinginess, but it may not get it back to it's original bright white.  While the head is still damp use pure water on a damp rag to lift off the bleach & remaining grime.  I would avoid getting it real wet at any time.  Joseph Rogers, who made premium heads never used bleach at all to whiten his heads, because it was too harsh,  & shortened the life of the skin.   But a gentle wipe down will probably clean up you old head & make it look presentable.  I've cleaned up many heads this way.  Work quickly & don't let it  get too soaked. 

Edited by - tdennis on 01/06/2012 14:17:17

Fathand - Posted - 01/06/2012:  14:36:49

Saddle Soap?

tdennis - Posted - 01/06/2012:  14:57:17

Saddle soap is designed to clean & soften tanned leather by putting oils back into the leather.   You don't really want to do this to a raw skin head.  While there is a certain  amount of natural oil in a skin head, enough to make it  somewhat flexible, one doesn't want to add oil to the product.   It would become soft & stretchy,  & not make a good vibrating surface.   (It's true that  an old, overly dried out head can be revived w/ an tiny application of mink oil,  applied to a damp head, but that is a different issue).  

mike gregory - Posted - 01/06/2012:  15:23:05

Thanks for the advice.

stanger - Posted - 01/06/2012:  21:55:34

I knew you had an old head, but I did not know it was taken off a tenor. What happened? Did you get tired of being a baritone? What did the tenor have to say about it? It seems such a shame to take his just because it had a little break in it...
regards,
stanger