Klarinet Archive - Posting 000403.txt from 1997/12

From: Detlef Kretschmer <detlef@-----.ca>
Subj: Re: Keywork material
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 09:09:43 -0500

>What is the difference (apart from the look) between nickel, silver
>and gold plated keywork.
>
>My fingers tend to be a little bit sweaty. Some keys on my nickel
>plated B-12 are getting slightly black (already after a few
>weeks). Polishing with a cloth helps a little bit, but on one key the
>upper layer now seems be deleted.
>
>Will I have less problems with silver plated keys? My teacher is of
>the opinion that I also will have problems with silver; gold would be
>better according to this problem.
>
>And: Are there quality differences between different, let say: silver
>keyworks?
>
>Any opinions? Suggestions to fix the problem? Thanks
>
>Dirk
>
>--
>Dirk Kussin dirk@-----.de
>Fachbereich 17 Mathematik Raum D2.323
>Universit@-----. (+49) (5251) 60-2636
>D-33095 Paderborn --------- http://www-math.uni-paderborn.de/~dirk/

In general Nickel plating is a lot more resistant than silver plating,
especially against acids, assuming both are well done. Gold is practically
perfect against body fluids.
If you have problems with the nickel plating, I guess its more cosmetic
than a proper plating (no base plating - you cannot put any plating on any
metal, some do not adhere properly).
Go to a good plating shop, have the existing (remaining) plating removed
and the lot re-plated. It might take a base plating in copper or something
like this, the plating shop can advise you. Follow their advice.

Even gold plating shouldn't be expensive, the quantity of material is
negligeable.

Detlef Kretschmer
Dipl. Ing., DSc., Prof.
Dept. Mechanical Engineering
Laval University
Quebec, QC, Canada G1K 7P4

Voice (418) 656-5409
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