How do I prepare/protect my accordion for outdoor playing?

[Jaime_Dergut]

As far as I know, the various accordions I have are been no more than an honest middle of the road in level, yet they all have coped with my local climate, ranging from approximately 80 to (newest) 30+ years. All without evident damage; all made in Italy; all PA, 41/120.
Only one brand name is still in existence, and that one has undergone several changes in ownership, so little point in specifying names.
But all have shown the capacity for surviving temperatures ranging from -3 to +46 degrees C and relative humidity of 5 to 99%.
So, I'm inclined to think we have a general tendency to seriously underestimate the hardiness of our favourite instrument!

Absolutely.

I heard often that the accordions from the golden age were made to last forever (I saw once an old Weltmeister still working even thought it had a crack on its wooden box) , but unfortunately quality has gone down hill in recent years, generally speaking.

 

[Dingo40]

I heard often that the accordions from the golden age were made to last forever

Indeed, very recently someone wrote here asking for information about an early 1950s Sopranii, which bore a plaque saying "Guaranteed for Life "
Try to find a present day Sopranii with such a plaque!

 

[dak]

an early 1950s Sopranii, which bore a plaque saying "Guaranteed for Life "

"Sure, you could bring in your accordion for repairs, but then I'd have to kill you." Never heard of the Sopranos?

 

[Tom]

Not sure if it so much that quality has gone down overall, or that cheaper (relative) inferior accordions have become more ubiquitous due to consumer acceptance and ease of purchase. I believe that the accordions I have bought new are as good as anything made in history at their (inflation adjusted) relative price. We’ve all restored some real winners from the “golden age.”

 

[Pipemajor]

my accordion was affected in the car on the way

That's going to be my excuse for my abysmal playing

 

[murathan]

Florin here is playing, presumably for hours a day, in all weather. This is a clip of him playing in the UK in or after a rain. Does he go through several accordions a year or does he clean or what -

Florin was a street performer in Istanbul/Turkey for years. Maybe later went to U.K. I dont know. He have several accordions near to scrapyard condition. But they sound well. He probably avoids (direct) rain and sun.