 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-23 03:59
Is it possible? How? I know what is done during an overhaul. But here I am looking to anything that camn be done to bring *LUSTER* to the grenadill/m'pingo wood. Is it safe? Or will it rob essential oils &, ultimately, damage the wood???
TIA. mw
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Author: RON B
Date: 2000-11-23 08:50
Mark -
Most shops today, as you already know, give the wood a quick buffing during an overhaul. It's efficient and economical, polishes the posts (pillars) and wood in one operation with a minimal amount of material being removed in the process.
There was a long discussion about polishing wood horns (the old fashioned way) on EarlyClarinet (egroups) some time ago, a couple months or so, I believe. Perhaps someone can help you get to the archived posts there. Off hand I don't know how to look up things there as I've never done it. Rather than going to the home page and going back through everything on file, it would be helpful if someone here knows a more direct way to get the information. It's there.
It was very interesting - main ingredients: (as I recall), shellac and elbow grease.
It's safe. I've been told that older, 'quality', instruments were almost routinely finished that way. Modern manufacturing methods don't require it. It might enhance the natural luster of m'pingo though, even if the instrument is of recent origin - in fact, I'd almost bet on it.
To the best of my understanding, no oils are removed during the polishing proceedure. However, you may, depending on your persuasion, choose to oil the wood before finishing it. (Or, maybe oil is mixed with the shellac, I'm not sure). Better to gather all the info you can beforehand.
And - and  all I meant to say when I started this was, 'yes, it's possible'.
oh, and... Have a nice Thanksgiving!
ron B
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-11-23 14:06
What about something delicate, like "Butcher's" paste wax? I use this as the top finish on tables, it's easy to strip off (acetone/denatured alcohol and cotton rag) and adds very little color.
The only problem would be the getting a small quantity. I would not use any stains or waxes made for car paint (possible scouring).
Take some before/after pics to share!
anji
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-11-23 14:10
What about something delicate, like "Butcher's" paste wax? I use this as the top finish on tables, it's easy to strip off (acetone/denatured alcohol and cotton rag) and adds very little color.
The only problem would be the getting a small quantity. I would not use any stains or waxes made for car paint (possible scouring).
Take some before/after pics to share!
anji
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-23 17:22
Ron, after joiinng the EarlyClarinet List, I went through the Archives. YES, it was cetainly discussed, back in July or sometime. The materials frighten me a bit, some more permanent than others. The main dialogue seemed to generate some thought that "don't try this on an expensive clarinet". mw
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Author: ron b
Date: 2000-11-23 21:51
Mark -
Yes. I remember it as being a lot of information over a couple weeks time. I'd certainly agree that *caution* is the best policy. I'd try something like that first on something expendable until you're sure you want to subject your good horn to the 'treatment'.
Maybe you could find a scrapped horn at your local repair shop or a dog on eBay to experimant on. "For Parts Only" horns show up on eBay often enough, and cheap enough, that you could tinker with them at no appreciable loss if it doesn't work out. That's what I'd do if I were considering something like that. I wouldn't risk spoiling a good instrument on something that 'iffy'.
The problem, in my mind, would be that I don't know what the 'long term' result would be. I've seen old instruments that looked for all the world to have been lightly shellaced (hmm, that's an odd-looking spelling). Some bores were polished that way too, I've read (Erick Brand). Other than that, I personally don't have much knowledge of what was done to earlier clarinets. There are people reading this who have far greater knowledge about it than I ever will. I'm sure of that.
ron b
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-24 15:36
One thing we haven't mentioned here (now, at least I don't recall it) is the use of something like Bore Oil to shine the outside of the Clarinet. Thsis is what SASKA recommends in his book. Of course, there are many different is oils to consider as well.
Dr. Slick (if you are listening), what do you think of think of this?
Quite frankly, many of us have heard more bad than good regarding the composition of the bore oil sold by the various manufacturers (Selmer, Yamaha, Leblanc, etc).
Thanks to all for your input.
mw
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-11-24 17:41
Mark,
I have used either almond oil or apricot oil when oiling the bore and if necessary the outside of the clarinet. After it soaks in I buff with flannel strips and wax. I just overhauled a Selmer *BT* I bought off eBay last August to match to my *BT* A clarinet. I always put on the corks before oiling so that the contact cement adheres better. I used the Dr. Slick cork grease on the corks and noticed that it also gave quite a sheen to the wood. I don't know if the Dr recommends it, but I decided instead of the oil to try it sparingly on the wood. It did I nice job of bringing out the luster. You may want to try it also. BTW for the oil: Woodland Nut, 16675 County Rd 98B, Woodland, Ca 95695 phone: 530.662.3027 They have almond, apricot and walnut oil.
John
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