 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alyra
Date: 2004-02-21 15:04
My B13 was stored for a while when it's previous owner died...anyway....in between some of the keys is some mould.....
What's a SAFE way to remove the mould without damaging the keys coating etc. (probably nickel plate..)
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2004-02-21 23:43
(Disclaimer - I sell cleaning products for woodwinds)
Mold and mildew can be troublesome to permanently get rid of. A good quality wood cleaner such as Murphey's Oil Soap or other cleaner designed specifically for wood should remove the mold with the aid of an old soft toothbrush. If the pads are molded too they should be cleaned with a solution designed to clean but not harm pads. The case is another problem because mold spores can survive a nuclear blast and still sprout vegetative mold when temperature and humidity conditions are right. The alternatives are to clean the interior of the case with a solution safe for the fabric but which will kill the mold and spores, or get a new case.
To control mold and mildew the main object is to provide and environment which does not support mold growth, and this is dry (below 50% RH, and cool (below 20 C). Temperature is hard to keep that low, depending on your geographic location, but the case can contain a desiccant to keep RH low if needed. Keeping the instrument clean is another help.
The Doctor
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Author: Bnatural
Date: 2004-02-22 05:06
correct me if i'm wrong but from the looks of the clarinets tone holes... it looks like it is just dirty... did the previous owner keep it clean?... cause some of that looks like dirt.... the very limited experience i have w/ keys getting mould was a more lime green than that..... so maybe it's dirt or i'm worng.....good luck either way
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-02-22 05:42
To clarify - do you mean mold on the keys, not the body?
What appears to be a whitish mold may well be nickel tarnish, which is rather difficult to remove. It really needs to be buffed off, and the handling will probably destroy pads and other soft materials.
This tarnish can be caused by fumes given off by the materials the case is made from.
I once made some wire puzzles, had them nickel plated, and then stored them overnight in a new box that had been 'polyurethaned' a day prior. All surfaces turned dull white overnight.
Some instrument manufacturers have had serious problems with this, even during transit from the factory. It is quite a good case for silver plating, which in this sense, seems to be more robust.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-02-22 19:28
If it is nickel tarnish, then pipe cleaners won't touch it.
If it is mold on the TIMBER, you can't go far wrong with Doctor's tested-safe products.
Can metal go mouldy? I doubt it. Doesn't mold need organic food?
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