Hi....
I have a question...
My flute is about 1 year old and I clean it well every time I play it...
...But it's Starting to rust?(goldish/brownish marks)
I was wondering if anyone knows of anything that can clean them?

Thanks!
Viv

Goldish/brownish marks are most likely tarnish on a silver or silver plated flute. If you can reach them easily, you can wipe them off. Or take it to a tech to have it cleaned (the better choice...)

Joe B

Joe's quite right. It most likely is tarnish, not rust. A silver polishing cloth (which can be had from almost any music store) should take off most of it. If it's under the keys or in an otherwise inaccessible area, do not try to force the cloth in there to get it off. It will not affect how the flute plays, and really is of very little worry. When you take the flute in for it's regular maintenance, the tech can take off whatever you couldn't get. Be sure not to use liquid or powdered polishes (in fact, most household silver polishes), as these can get into the mechanism and gum things up (which would affect how the flute plays), and most are also too harsh for use on a flute. To help prevent tarnish in the future, be sure to wash your hands before you pick the flute up (the oils on your skin can cause tarnish, and may also attract airborne tarnish causing agents), and wipe it down (with something other than what you use to clean the bore) after every play session. Some people also like the 3M anti-tarnish strips which are left in the case, and remove tarnish causing agents (like sulphur) from the air, and trap them in the strips. I personally feel they do very little, and as they must be replaced every few months, can pose a good bit of expense if used for any significant amount of time, but you might want to try them all the same and see what you think. Hope that's helpful!

Wow thanks!!!