Klarinet Archive - Posting 000012.txt from 1996/01

From: niethamer@-----.BITNET
Subj: Re: Hot Oil Treatment?
Date: Mon, 1 Jan 1996 21:09:43 -0500

On Sun, 31 Dec 1995, Victor Freyer wrote:

> With the coming of the new year, my clarinet turns 25 years old. Although
> the plating is worn everywhere my fingers touch, it still plays well enough
> for my modest needs.
>
> However, the wood is as dry and dull looking as tinder. In the past I have
> left a heavy coat of oil (not 10-W-30, but a commercial bore oil) on it
> overnight and had an improvement in appearance for a few days. But soon my
> clarinet looks as dry as ever.
>
> The thought occurred to me that if I heat the oil to about 120F, it should
> be more readily absorbed. Then perhaps some polishing the next day - would
> a silver polishing mit be too abrasive on the wood?
>
> What method do repair technicians use to spruce (no pun intended) up the
> finish of an old wood instrument?

Victor - you should read Larry Naylor's article in "The Woodwind
Quarterly", Issue 6, August 1994. There is a complete discussion about
oiling woodwind instruments. My section partner in the Richmond Symphony
actually got some of his "secret sauce"(!) and used it according to
directions on her and a student's clarinet, with reported good results.
Naylor's article is a pretty compelling one, and a few repair persons
that I know said the premise is basically sound.

The Woodwind Quarterly is available from the publisher, Scott Hirsch,
1513 Old CC Road, Colville, Washington 99114-9526 (509) 935-4875. Scott
also reads this list - WQ@-----.com (I think)

Good luck.

David Niethamer