 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bart Hendrix
Date: 2001-04-16 21:50
There have been some recent comments here relating to maintaining our clarinets after playing. I remember, for example, The Doctor commenting that he wipes his keys off with silk before putting his horn away. However, I do not recall anyone commenting on the new microfiber cloths that have recently become available.
I have seen the micorfiber cloths ranging from about 8 for $12 at a warehouse store to about $9 each for a similar size at WW&BW. The manufacturers claim they are gentle enough to use to even wipe coated lenses without damage.
I have been using one recently on my horns and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. However, I am having a hard time believing that something that works so well with so little effort would not be causing any sort of accelerated wear.
Does anyone know of any objective evaluation that has been done on these cloths relative to abrasion and/or surface wear?
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-04-17 04:09
It is made of polyester treated by many hi-tech ways. Typical treatment to make its firber miconized is alkainizing:the smooth surface of female polyester garment is treated this way. No abrasive is included like Hagaty's silver cloth. The smaller the fiber, it wipes out smaller dusts or stains in the surface.
Better microfibres are all( not 'almost') made by Japanese makers such as Kurare, Tore, Teijin, or Kanebo. Their typical fibre size is 0.45-0.1 denier compared to 1 denier made in other countries('denier' is a unit of fibre size).
You may find articles on this materials in Japanese fibre manufacturers' homepages.
I use a Krare's micorfibre sold by Muramatsu(flute maker) these 10 years.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2001-04-17 13:57
I was given a couple of microfiber cloths when I got my new eyeglasses. They are supposed to be good for cleaning the scratch-prone anti-glare coating on my glasses. Haven't tried them on my bass clarinet.
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-04-17 17:34
I've been using a UMI cloth for years. They have a yellow side for cleaning and a grey side for polishing. my clarinet looks great. Now this post has me worried. Could it be harmful for keys after a prolonged period of time? The cloth also works great on my jewelry (gold, etc.).
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Author: Bart Hendrix
Date: 2001-04-17 18:37
David:
The manufacturers say there is no problem. I was just wondering if someone without a profit to be made has taken the time to verify that. Surely, friction between any two surfaces for a long enough time has to produce some wear. The question is how much wear and on which surface (or possibly on which surface is there greater wear)?
The cloths are available in the cleaning supply section of most stores in our area and claim they are safe to use even on coated lenses. After trying one on my horns, it was obvious that the polish had left a very slight hazy film which the cloth easily removed. My horns now sparkle. I expect I could polish the eighty year old solid German silver keys for a very long time before there was a problem. However, I am wondering about the effect on the newer silver plated keys.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2001-04-18 00:43
Bg France make all different sizes of microfibre/ chamois style cloths for everything from Bassoon to Piccolo. They are great and gentle on the bore. I use them on my clarinets and my bassoon and have found them he best although a littel more expensive than some other brands.
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Author: Mandy
Date: 2001-04-18 20:17
I suppose the skin oils and perspiration that would be left on your keywork if you didn't wipe them would not be a good thing either so I always wipe after playing with an ordinary soft cotton duster.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2001-04-19 20:52
Hiroshi, there is a difference between Hagerty's Jewellry cloth, which is pink and contains a polishing agent, and their jeweller's cloth, which is made of buff-colored microfiber and has the consistency of very soft chamois leather. I wouldn't use the former, but the latter works very well.
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