Klarinet Archive - Posting 000113.txt from 2002/12

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Silver Keys
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2002 22:44:24 -0500

At 02:54 PM 12/5/2002 -0500, William Semple wrote:
>Well, for starters, don't use one of those silver polishing cloths they sell
>at music stores. Also, too much polishing wears on the silverplate over
>time, I am told.
>
>I am waiting to hear what others have to say, since the "damage" (which can
>only be seen on close inspection and at certain lighting angles) has already
>been done. I went into a fabric store and bought the softest cotton they
>sold and use it to simply wipe my clarinet after each session.
>
>Once in a blue moon, I place a dab of Mrs. Wright's silver polish (or
>equivalent), on the cloth, which works, but it is messy and one could
>inadvertently gum up a pad or a post.

There are two kids of silver polishing cloths. One is a soft cloth which
is chemically treated to remove light tarnish. These work very well and
don't scratch or in any other way damage the silver finish any more than a
plain cloth would, and will brighten nickel finishes somewhat as
well. There is also other type, like Shino cloths, which should be used
very sparingly if at all. They contain an abrasive and WILL eventually
remove the plating from your instrument with repeated use. However, if you
have HEAVY tarnish, they can be quite effective, and are much less messy
than trying to use silver polish (which should be rinsed off with water in
any case). If you wipe the keys with a plain soft cloth after each use,
you should not need one of these, and may not need the other type, either,
for a long time.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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