Mike Morrey wonders what is he best brass cleaner for tracker bars,
and other brass player parts.  He does not want to clog the holes in
the tracker bar.

I believe that we went over this topic one time, but for those who
are new, or have not located the information in the archives, here it
is again:

I use Never-Dull cotton wadding.  It comes in a can, and you pull out a
piece of the cotton and go to it.  There is some kind of cleaner in the
cotton, and it does not clog up holes.  Rub the bar until tarnish is
removed.  Then, with a soft paper towel, buff until you have a
brilliant shine.  Keep buffing until there is no discoloration on the
paper towel.

Next, mask off the bar with masking tape and paper, and give it a light
coat of clear spray lacquer.  Original tracker bars were indeed
lacquered, I discovered, when I found an old unused original Duo Art
tracker bar at the factory.  Some of the lacquer will wear off, but it
will wear only where the paper will keep it polished.

If after a few years it begins to look grungy, the old lacquer will
come off using a cloth moistened in lacquer thinner.  Then repeat the
process.  Nancy Fratti sells a wonderful clear lacquer that has a
golden tint to it.  I highly recommend this for all brass player parts.

Bruce Clark