Klarinet Archive - Posting 000004.txt from 1992/11

From: FRS1000 <FRS1@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Mottled Keys
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 21:24:14 -0500

The colors and "rust" you see on your daughter's clarinet keys is
oxidation caused when the air comes into contact with the German silver
keys on the instrument. Unfortunately, there is no way to stop this
process. The proper way to restore the luster to the keys is to have
the instrument keys buffed by a competent technician. This also means
repadding the entire instrument because the pads will be destroyed
during the buffing process.

There is no good way for the consumer to clean the keys without either
scratching the keys or damaging the mechanism. Using harsh cleaners
like brasso, copper cleaners, most silver cleaners and scratch pads will
leave visable scratches on the keys. The various liquid cleaners will
also migrate into the working parts of the mechanismand cause it to
wear faster than it should as the instrument is played.

RONALD SASKA
JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
JACKSONVILLE, AL. 36265
FRS1@-----.BITNET