Klarinet Archive - Posting 000633.txt from 1997/04

From: mipresc@-----.edu (Steve Prescott)
Subj: Re: Sticky pads
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 12:17:04 -0400

Brian wrote:

>Firstly, clean the tonehole and pad with lighter fluid, using a cotton-bud.
>This will usually do the trick.
>If you still have problems, try Yamaha powder papers. Do not use talc or
>similar, as this builds up and attracts grease and oil in the future.
>
>Brian Ackerman.
>

Brian,
I'm afraid I have to disagree with you. Cleaning the tonehole of a
plastic clarinet with lighter fluid is OK I suppose though it is a little
oily. Cleaning a tonehole of a wooden clarinet with lighter fluid is not
OK. Petroleum products will rot the wood over time. And again, you will
have to wipe it clean in order to remove the oil so the pad will not stick.
I also, as stated in a previous post, will not use pad powders for the very
reason you state...they build up and attract grease and oil (and dirt).
The powders also draw the oils out of the wood and dry the tonehole, making
it a prime candidate for checking and cracking.

Steve

Steve Prescott
Instrument Rep.Tech./ Clarinetist
Indiana State University
mipresc@-----.edu