 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Molloy
Date: 2007-04-28 13:43
A few months ago I discovered a cache of neglected insturments in my closet, inclucing a McIntyre clarinet and a decent oboe. They were very mildewy. At the moment I don't want to invest the money in having someone clean and reassemble them if I don't have to. Is the mildew damaging the wood?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-28 14:04
Mildew contains spores which can cause respiratory problems, so it's more likely to be harmful to you.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2007-04-28 14:33
(Disclaimer - I sell a sporacide case odor eliminator)
The cases are probably toast - should be thrown away - but if you want to save a vintage case it may be possible to kill the spores and clean the material of the cases back to life. The instruments can be cleaned gently without disassembling them being careful not to get the pads too damp with a solution that will kill the vegetative form of mildew and the spores. As Chris indicates it would probably be good to wear a surgical mask during the process so that spores are not inhaled. Mold will damage wood and pads because of the acidic byproducts of their metabolism.
If you keep the instruments and cases, once cleaned and disinfected, in an environment of less than 50% Relative Humidity mildew spores will not germinate to form vegetative mildew and cause further problems.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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