Rust on Rav Drums?- How to Prevent and Remove Rust ! Care Guide

[@JohnLRice]

Thanks! I have ordered my first Rav (Vast2 B Onoleo) so I'm preemptively researching care and maintenance a bit. :-)

[@kerembrule7201]

Thanks for the tips!

[@ReWildYourSoul]

of course!

[@HokuSeaglassHawaii]

Great video Ricky! The sustain issues does not make sense at all. The tongues aren’t the only thing that makes the RAV sing, it’s also the metal bars inside of it. Frog lube is amazing, I’ve used it from the start with no sustain issue at all, I repeat AT All! Keep up the great videos!

[@ReWildYourSoul]

Thanks! :) You are such a supportive friend!

[@BDWoodruffmusic]

Thanks for the confirmation that this product works, HawaiiBlownGlass! My RAV arrives this week and I want to take good care of it.

[@CrossroadWater]

I think the original Rav Vast looks gorgeous with a little culture and patina on it 🙊👀😎

[@ReWildYourSoul]

I actually agree 😉🎶 unless the rust is really hub,no or flaking, it is only a cosmetic concern. If managed correctly, not really an issue!

[@KaydogNH]

Hi Ricky! Great as usual. I agree with Cathy that keeping hands clean and wiping down the RAV with Microfiber cloth is essential. I have never used Froglube. I use what I had on hand - Dr. Duck's Axe Wax and String Lube (not a wax but an oil) on both of my RAVs and on my wooden dulcimers (It is reccommended for all instruments wood and metal). I keep a moistened t-shirt cloth in a baggie with the oil and wipe top and bottom regularly then wipe with the microfiber. I did use Caranauba on one RAV and wiped it real well afterward so that there wouldn't be any issue of weight (just in case) and continue with my oil on it. I have not had rust though I did get a discoloration...the steel does change color sometimes :) I will continue with this oil and occasional carnauba treatment until it doesn't work. I think you are right that everyone's bodies react differently to the oils and steel. It would take a TREMENDOUS amount of time for a RAV to be destroyed by rust. I have had a steel saw blade that I did a painting on(painting is in center of blade) outside standing against a tree for 17 years and before that it was laying in someon's yard for God knows how long. Rusty yes...Destoyed no. Thank you for all your great info and music!

[@ReWildYourSoul]

Thanks for sharing! Exactly what I wanted. There are so Many ways to care for them and I was hoping you would chime in :)

[@BarryGrueter]

Thanks for sharing your advice 😊 👍

[@voytsmis]

Hello all RAV admirers/aficionados ...I tried lot of methods ...but after 2,5 years also find as most effective use of Froglube CLP every 1-2 months....and Isoprophyl Alcohol 99,9 % once in a while to remove " old fat layer"...I also agree with Cathy that cleaning with microfiber cloth after every longer playing and keep hands "dry and clean" is crucial....so far I have no problems with rust....

[@ReWildYourSoul]

Execellent tips my friend! I wanted there to be this sort of post. :) Thanks for sharing!

[@aleksandrduncan6435]

Hi Ricky. In the part where you remove the rim to clean it, do you have any recommendations for the newer RAVs with brass rims? As far as keeping them clean. I would love a new video from you about caring for the new RAVs!

[@ziv2]

Hi Ricky, Why not to use a spray protection, similar to cars painting?

[@ReWildYourSoul]

That would be an interesting idea if the coating was able to bore stick between the tongues and dampen harmonics!

[@sillytubeify]

Have you ever peered inside the drum through the cracks? A matrix of steel bars. Woah-NL

[@jenandfelix33522]

Good poin.Rust on the inside of the instrument is not an issue as one of my friends said "It would take around 100 years for that rust to start affecting the sound" Inside is also treated with heavy lube that is not wiped off so it stays on.

[@ReWildYourSoul]

well put my friend

[@BarryGrueter]

Another question, I just received a Rav vast and it has some black grime on it. Will the products you suggest clean that off or do I need to try something like rubbing alcohol? Thanks in advance ✌

[@ReWildYourSoul]

Hey there! That depends on which generation, is it one with the golden rim and blue coat or the older ones with the black rim?

[@BarryGrueter]

@@ReWildYourSoul it is a A RUS with the black rim

[@BarryGrueter]

@@ReWildYourSoul mine is an A minor RUS vast with the black rim. Thanks

[@ReWildYourSoul]

@@BarryGrueter I would just try rubbing it off with a microfiber cloth and then oiling it. It is likely just. A grease they used to prevent rust in transit if it is an old version!

[@BarryGrueter]

@@ReWildYourSoul yes I used what you recommended and it looks great 👍 thank you for sharing your talents 😊

[@TheEathos]

Anything I can use from home/from the local store?

[@Mescaline82]

I think the weight of the tongue change the tuning not the sustain ! But i dont think the frog lube will really affect the sustain.

[@ReWildYourSoul]

completely agree with you! Funny people seem to think that isn't it?

[@garrymhoffmanjr1927]

Hello, you mentioned replacement rims to reduce the reverberation. where can I get these?

[@ReWildYourSoul]

Hey there! I will look for the link, but if you search Car trim on ebay, you should be able to find one in whatever size you wish!

[@serjdaher]

I just bought that Miracle cloth, it removed the green coating RAV has... im not sure it's the proper product to advise. Not sure what to do now i have raw steel spots under my rav

[@ReWildYourSoul]

Hey Serge, Yes, that is exactly what happens when they rust. You are removing the rust that appears with the cloth, that has eaten through the outer layer of your rav, so of course there is a different color underneath. It is like removing the outer layer of your skin, the area below it is raw. Froglube is great for protecting it, but if there is rust, it has eaten through your coat. The miracle cloth does not take off too much of the bluing of the steel, only the areas that are rusted should be rubbed, as you did! Hope that helps!

[@ReWildYourSoul]

The miracle cloth is not for cleaning, as I say in the video, it is for removing the rust spots. Frog lube is the cleaner/protectant that you apply. Miracle cloth is ONLY to remove the rust/coating if you need to.

[@ReWildYourSoul]

did you use the miracle cloth as the cleaner? Or am I misunderstanding what you wrote. Hope that helps!

[@ReWildYourSoul]

feel free to contact me via email if you like as well. [e-mail]

[@serjdaher]

Hey Ricky, no you understood correctly! I clean and protect the drum with froglube. I just used the miracle cloth on a rust spot, but it exposed the steel, the green blue coating of the rav on that spot is completely gone. Is that what happened to you as well when you removed the rust with the cloth?

[@CharlesMiner]

I live in the island of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean steps away from the beach and i followed all of these steps yet my rav vast is already full of rust bubbles. I contacted the company and received no response except an automated message to sell me more products 🤦‍♂️

[@CharlesMiner]

Okay i just finished watching the whole video and i will try out lightly sanding the areas and protecting it again. I am also more relaxed now knowing that it is only a cosmetic issue and the sound will remain unaffected. I guess it will look more ancient which is not that bad. Thank you so much for the tips!

[@befree4876]

Hey Ricky, does this apply to the newer ravs with the blue finish as well?

[@ReWildYourSoul]

Good thought, I need to do an update! New Ravs are coated, so do not need oil or rust treatment! Just the occasional dusting 😉🎶

[@befree4876]

@@ReWildYourSoul ok thank you. So you just use a dry cloth to dust?

[@ReWildYourSoul]

@@befree4876 Correct, the new blue coating on the ones with the brass rim, are protected!

[@befree4876]

@@ReWildYourSoul awesome. Thank you for responding. Can I ask which ravs you like better, the older or newer ones? Do you have a preference? I never seen the older ones in person. I saw a comment recently where a guy said he liked those better bc the surface was smoother.

[@Leslie-hg6wl]

I'm a fairly new handpan player and I was wondering what your views on using WD-40 to protect the drum.

[@ReWildYourSoul]

Hey there! If you have one of the new ones with the blue textured coating and brass rim, you don’t need to do anything to it! They are rust protected because of that coating. If you have one from this generation, camelia oil, froglube, refined coconut oil, caranuba wax, handpan oils and wd 40 work. My only concern with the WD, is if your generation has the plasticised layer from a round 2019-2018. I am unsure how that could react. If you have a new one, you can just wipe it down with a dry cloth on occasion! 🙏🎶

[@ReWildYourSoul]

I just read this again, are you talking about a Rav, as in this video, or a handpan? The treatment for a handpan is a bit different as some nitrided steels are more porous than others. There is a wide range of opinions on it, but my best advice is to contact the maker and see what they recommend, as each has their own preference for what steel they are using!

[@Kate_Forest]

Would plain coconut oil work for protection?

[@riotgrrrl4566]

Have you got any reply? h ave the same doubt about it. Does coconut oil will protect?

[@kraigsmusicalworks4400]

I used coconut oil on an instrument I made, it was full of rust in a few days

[@drummeryan]

Hey man! I love your videos.. I have a discoloring around the edge on the bottom of my rav and I’m nervous about it. I think it’s rust?? I’ve used frog lube a few times but going to start using it regularly like once a week. But I have the miracle cloth too. I’m wondering if I should use the miracle cloth in the bottom where I see the “rust”..? Any help would be great man! Thanks

[@ReWildYourSoul]

It may be a bit of rust, but dont worry! If you have it, try some frog lube on the micro fiber cloth and rub it on that area. Sometimes that is enough to remove it. Miracle cloth is really a last resort for cleaning it, as it removes a bit of the coloration (but does not damage the instrument, just the coating.) When it rusts, it stats to eat away at a tiny area, so the miracle cloth lifts that area, often exposing a bit of underneath. Hope that helps! Feel free to message me if you need further help!

[@drummeryan]

ReWildYourSoul thanks for the reply! Yea the frog lube doesn’t take it off. So I’ve been trying to decide if I wanna use my miracle cloth on it...

[@drummeryan]

ReWildYourSoul do you think I could send you a picture of it? I would appreciate someone else’s opinion on it

[@ReWildYourSoul]

@@drummeryan sure you can email rewildyoursoulmusic @ gmail dot com