I have an old steel clarinet that I'm going to make a lamp out of. What can I use to clean it so it sparkles?

Question

I just want it shiny - with no regard for the musical functionality of the instrument.

Answer 1

If it still has the little leather pads under the keys you need to remove those, they will mold and stink and start to fall apart. You can use a product called metalax, a mesh you pull a bit off of and polish with then rub with a soft cloth, or many old clarinets were not metal but silver so you may try a silver polish. Bet your lamp will be gorgeous.

Answer 2

Try MAAS Metal Polish. It's a rouge that artists use to clean and shine any metal.