Klarinet Archive - Posting 001021.txt from 1998/10

From: CEField@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Cleaning Resonite Clarinet
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 20:31:42 -0400

If you intend to leave all the keys on the instrument, I'm not sure you can
wash the bore with soapy water.

Here's what I would do instead (assuming you are not doing a repad or
recorking job):

1. Remove all of the keys from the instrument. As you do, put the screw(s)
back in the post(s) for "storage." Or buy a clarinet assembly board from
Ferree's.

2. Wash the clarinet inside and out with warm soapy water, using a bottle
brush or test tube style brush. Allow the instrument to dry completely.

3. Use Q-tips and plain water to swab around each tone hole to remove any
"gunk" that remains.

4. Use a pipe cleaner and rubbing alcohol to clean the register vent.

5. Clean each screw with alcohol and wipe dry with a shop cloth; clean each
post or hinge tube with alcohol on a pipe cleaner.

6. Polish each key with metal polish, carefully avoiding the pad surfaces.

7. Reassemble the clarinet, replacing any "dead" pads as you proceed, if
necessary. Put a drop of key oil (or light weight motor oil) on each screw as
you reinsert it.

Hope these pointers help!

Cindy

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