A gentle cleaner and varnish reviver. The Hill recipe has been popular with players for many decades. Original recipe formulated in the workshops of the world famous firm of W.E. Hill and Sons, Bond Street, London. This polish will help to preserve the integrity of the instrument varnish and will give an attractive glow to the surface. Apply with a clean cloth and polish with a clean lint free duster until dry. 25cc glass bottle.
Beginner
11
out of
11
found the following review helpful
Pros: Good value, useful product - a little will go a very long way
Cons: A dropper or an applicator of some kind built into the lid would be useful - I used cotten buds to apply it to the small area's I wanted to use it on.
Other: None
Keen Amateur
10
out of
10
found the following review helpful
Pros: Removes the fingerprints and the rosin build-up from the varnish safely and with minimum abrasion. Less risky than the home-made concoctions requiring shaking and speedy dabbing and removal. No complaints from my wife about the smell of polish after cleaning!
Cons: Tiny bottle.
Other: Leaves a nice tack-free and fresh look to the surface of old and new violins without shine or damage of the original varnish texture. Even dull varnish from around 1780s looks cleaner but without looking shiny or slick.
Beginner
12
out of
16
found the following review helpful
Pros: Who needs varnish cleaner? Many have misgivings fearing that what little lustre they have left will be compromised further. Hill's faithful old varnish is no exception and care is required in application. Over zealous rubbing WILL remove more than you hope for, especially on an oil-based varnish, though less so on a spirit-based one. You are adding something that does NOT belong to the original instrument and that is always risky no matter how brilliant the formula. But with great care, appearance can be enhanced and stubborn resins carelessly allowed to remain and stain can be teased out and away. A 25cc bottle seems small at first, but it is in your interest to make it last a long time!
Cons: complete review above
Other: complete review above
Keen Amateur
7
out of
7
found the following review helpful
Pros: After some scepticism, I started work on my 1879 Neuner & Horsteiner fiddle, using Hill polish. I was pleasantly surprised how easily it removed 138 years of dirt and discolouration (acquired from Victorian music halls), without disturbing the original varnish. Hint - I used it sparingly and went slowly, treating a small section at a time.
Cons: None
Professional
Keen Amateur
4
out of
4
found the following review helpful
Pros: I have used the Hill cleaner and polish for 40 years. I am very wary of anything that might damage my instrument, but this product works for me (used no more than once per year). It cleans grime and dullness, restoring the shine of the varnish. It is quite inexpensive and a bottle lasts a long time. It smells nice!
Cons: I'd like to see more information on the benefits / risks of using this product, related to the characteristics of an instrument's varnish and condition. It still feels a bit risky to do anything other than wipe with a dry duster. (Saliva has been recommended to me as a safe option!)
Other: I always clean off any rosin after each session with a dry cloth. (I really don't understand why people don't always do this). But I think this cleaner will help remove rosin deposits. Like any product, test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Keen Amateur
3
out of
3
found the following review helpful
Pros: Hills varnish reviver and polish definitely gets the thumbs up from me. It took just a short time to get a beautiful result and the finish was just lovely.
Cons: None.
Other: I recommend it!
Grade 8+
Professional
Keen Amateur
3
out of
4
found the following review helpful
Pros: Does what it says on the tin - removes buildup and finger marks from one's precious fiddle. A little goes a long way (try cotton buds for spot-cleaning). Well-priced for how long the bottle lasts. Doesn't stink of polish (not odourless but not bad). Good value.
Cons: Have to use it very carefully. Bottle could use a dropper/applicator.
Other: Use a tiny, TINY amount and two cloths. Use one cloth (or bud) to apply the polish, then use a clean cloth to very gently polish off again until completely clean. Over-zealous application will do more harm than good.