Klarinet Archive - Posting 000519.txt from 2004/05

From: ormondtoby@-----.net (Ormondtoby Montoya)
Subj: RE: [kl]B45 green mouthpiece
Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 15:34:20 -0400

Karl=A0Krelove wrote:

> My only question is whether or not the
> muriatic acid will remove enough rubber from
> either the rails or the inside to affect the
> mouthpiece's acoustics.

That's not what's happening in this case.

The discoloration is caused by chemical changes in the residual sulfur
in the hard rubber. Sulfur is the catalyst that helps the rubber cure
from liquid to solid state. Any acid, including vinegar, may (emphasis
on 'may') reverse the color change simply by reversing the chemistry ---
not by removing material as buffing would do.

There are a lot of variables, such as how deeply into the rubber the
heat penetrated and so forth. I have never needed to experiment
myself, but I have read reports of putting a discolored mouthpiece in a
dark box and/or in a refrigerator for a few weeks or months, and the
color disappeared.

By the way, swimming pool acid is 'muriatic acid'. But I would
certainly try vinegar and darkness and the inside of a refrigerator
first.

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