 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JENLB930
Date: 2001-03-09 01:34
How do I get the "nasty stuff" off my mouthpiece? Water doesn't seem to work well enough.
Thanks,
JENLB930@aol.com
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2001-03-09 03:36
Just got done adding something to my web site about mouthpiece cleaning. Basicilly, the crud is of two types - minerals and organic material (food particles, mold, bacteria, etc). There have been several discussions on the BB about cleaning mouthpieces which you should read. I use 5% acetic acid (of course I have access to ultra pure grade) but common white vinegar is adequate. I let the mouthpiece soak (just below the cork) for about 3 hours. This will remove mineral deposits quite nicely. To remove the organic I use a stabilized oxygen bleach and a couple other chemicals which remove the organics, kill bacteria, mold and sanitize the mouthpiece (smells fresh too!). You can use 3% hydrogen peroxide sold in the drug store but this is not quite as effective as the more concentrated stabilized powdered oxygen bleaches - Oxyclean contains such an oxygen bleach. I rinse with water and then buff with a cotton muslin rag. It there is discoloration (often green or yellowish - a leaching or reaction of the chemicals used to vulcanize rubber mouthpieces) I use a product called Gel Gloss which is made to shine fiberglass showers and can be obtained at Home Depot or hardware stores. Some have used and suggest chorine bleach solutions to clean mouthpieces but I believe that these are too strong an oxidizing agent and can potentially react with the vulcanized processed rubber to degrade it - my own opinion - we will not put rubber products in our chlorine bleach solution in the laboratory because over time it degrades the rubber, makes it hard, and producing cracking in rubber goods.
Happy Cleaning - The Doctor
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2001-03-09 05:24
Once you have cleaned your mouthpiece try not to let the crud build up in the first place.
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Author: Doug P
Date: 2001-03-09 18:13
To summarize Omar's note: soak in white vinegar, use a Q-tip to clean out the crud, then sterilize with Hydrogen Peroxide.
I haven't tried the Gel gloss, I'll have to check into it.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2001-03-09 18:42
I would - don't put any foreign objects, even Q-tips into mouthpieces. Although the chance of damage is slim, I just do not do it. Some of the organic gunk will not come off without a soaking in an organic remover. Actually, hydrogen peroxide is not a great sterilizing agent but it works OK. The new stabilized oxygen bleaches are much better at cleaning and sanitizing. The best thing is not to let the mouthpiece sanitization get out of hand to begin with!
To answer a previous question - go to the sponsor's page.
The Doctor
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-03-09 20:21
As the good Doctor alluded, some of the commercial bleaches might be harsh.
Since I buy lotsa old "green meanies" with some buildup, I have started to use the store brand "Scale, rust & Lime" remover to dissolve hard water stains. It uses Sulfamic Acid to do the job. It really loosens up the buildup, I use a capful in a cereal bowl diluted in water. An overnight soak tends to do the trick.
I was mine with soap and water once each week, and that keeps it clean. A toothbrush near the mouthpiece pad takes off the stubborn deposits.
I DO NOT like to put anything into the mouthpiece, others will have there own take on this, but it is something I avoid.
As to polishing, I tried the Gel Gloss fiberglass polish and it really has a strong odor. It is a very mild abrasive and leaves a beautiful finish, but omigod does it stink!
Instead, I use Automobile aluminum metal polish (wearing gloves) to finish.
anji
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2001-03-10 04:02
Dear Anji,
I have tried Gel Gloss on mouthpieces and it works well. I must make a confession to the readers - too much time spent in an organic chemistry labortory has ruined my sense of smell so I must have official smellers critique my products before I put them on the market to pass the olefactory test as well as the other testing that I do. Sorry for the smelly recommendation - it does a great job though. Maybe the product was developed by a chemist like myself that has no sense of smell.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-03-10 11:53
So do you simply buff the Gel Gloss by hand, or with a wheel?
In the great Northeast, we don't typically open the windows in Winter so VOCs tend to linger.
I wonder if there is some emulsification at work to get the final finish, or if it is actually applying a topcoat?
Some of my fellow clarinuts are currently using your "Space Slime" and LOVE IT.
Congrats on your successful venture.
(I wonder when B&H will come bearing cash and an offer you can't refuse.)
anji
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2001-03-10 17:07
I buff it by hand - takes some elbow grease but you have more control since it is a very mild abrasive you do not want to cause dips or ridges using a wheel. Maybe in the hands of an experienced person a wheel would be fine. As you indicate, good ventillation is necessary. Thanks for the kind words about the products. I have already been approached but I enjoy experimenting and making the products, and receiving feedback, that I would be afraid that if bought out by a giant that the products would just go away and we would be stuck with the same ole, same ole that we now reject. Viva la Revolution!
The Doctor
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Author: Ken
Date: 2001-03-10 21:10
Listerine or any brand of mouthwash containing an anteseptic along with a child's toothbrush works just fine.
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2001-03-11 02:25
I've used the Gel Gloss for years. I really don't mind the smell of the stuff. Maybe my nose isn't as sensitive. To clean mouthpieces I dip them in the same commercial product I get to cut the slime out of saxes and sax necks. I get it from Allied. It is called "Slime Away". About three minutes soaking the mouthpiece comes out clean. It doesn't smell to bad either. I usually rinse with mild soap and water afterwards.
John
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Author: Matt
Date: 2001-03-12 04:12
soak it in efferdent overnight. just try to kep the cork dry
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