To keep the instrument at its best, it is necessary to pay attention to:
● Do not play the instrument in the sun or when it is overheated (the metal becomes more malleable and may go out of tune more easily).
● Be careful not to leave the instrument wet or damp as oxide and/or rust could form. After playing it, it is also a good habit to clean the handpan with a cotton or microfibre cloth and if it is not used for several days it is advisable to keep it out of its case in a dry environment.
● When playing, strike with moderation and do not let the instrument take a hit (the thickness of the iron/steel ranges from about 0.8 to 1.5 mm and under strong pressure it could lose tuning).
● Clean and oil or treat the surface of the handpan according to the manufacturer's recommended procedures. Annual cleaning with isopropyl alcohol is usually recommended to degrease the surface and oiling every 30/60 days with special oils or waxes to protect the metal (the most used are "Phoenix Handpan Oil" and "Ballistol"). The oil protects the metal surface from contact with oxygen and humidity in the air and from grease and sweat from the hands. Precisely because in contact with our skin of the hands it is good to use oils that are as natural as possible and at the same time that do not go rancid creating a bad smell and that are very fluid so as not to form a too thick layer on the instrument which would stop the sound. When you go to put the oil on the instrument, it is advisable to apply a few drops on the dome and spread them well over the entire surface using a cotton or microfiber cloth, the same thing for both the upper dome with the Notes and the part below with Gu.
● If there are some signs of rust, you can try to remove them with the "Miracle Cloth" wipes or by scraping the surface very delicately with a very thin "Scotch Brite" sponge. And then clean and oil the handpan as indicated in the previous point.
● Periodically check the tuning of your handpan and if necessary take it to a maker to have it retuned. To understand how to do this, we refer you to the specific article on handpan tuning.
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Here you can see a video from our video blog in which we delve into these topics.
And here we leave you with a video by Tommy the producer of Blesspan for further insights and advice for the care and maintenance of your Handpans.
Enjoy Filippo e Raffaello