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Clear Nail Polish on Tone Holes

Author: clarinet60
Date: 2005-12-12 15:11

A quick question for you tech's out there: I had heard that some clarinetists put a thin coating of clear nail polish around the tone holes of their instruments (after removing the keys of course) to fill in the minute chips and make the pads seal better. Does anyone have any knowledge of this practice and is it effective?

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Re: Clear Nail Polish on Tone Holes

Author: tims
Date: 2005-12-12 21:42

This is rarely used to fill in gaps or chips, but often used to restrict the airflow and lower the pitch. The polish is applied inside the tone hole. It is the opposite of reaming a hole to open air flow and raise a pitch. It is part of what many clarinetists do to "fine tune" their instruments.

If there are chips and nicks in on the edge of the tone holes that might promote leaks, a more substansive filler should be applied. If nail polish were to be used it would be necessary that after it was applied (or a filler for that matter) that the area be sanded and properly reshaped. If this last step is not done, simply applying polish could make things worse. Though any nicks may be filled, without proper shaping, the tone hole edge would be softened and make seating more difficult (a sharp edge seats more securely and with less pressure.) Also any polish which may find its way into the tone hole itself will alter the pitch and tone quality. Either way, I would leave this to someone with the poper tools and skill.

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Re: Clear Nail Polish on Tone Holes

Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2005-12-12 22:18

I use superglue to fill wood grain across the edge of tone holes, especially if I am using cork or Norbek pads. I think this is reasonably common practice, especially with oboes, which require perfection in this area.

Superglue probably seeps in and adheres better than nail polish, and sets harder.

Then I use specialised tools to ensure that the build up of this material on the tone hole has been levelled off. If you are not going to do this levelling, then I think the irregular end result would likely be more problematic that what you started with!

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