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 DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: Clarinetgirl06 
Date:   2005-08-17 02:33

OK, I have a cracked barrel that I am interested in unstaining. It already has a cosmetic crack and so I now use it for marching band (it makes my plastic Vito sound a lot better). I honestly don't care if it turns out bad. My pure motives is to unstain it to just see what the wood actually looks like. I read some old articles on BBoard and I realize that the wood could look kind of funky and also I couldn't find anywhere how you actually do it-I only found out that you can actually unstain the wood.

This barrel is a stock barrel from an intermediate Yamaha which cracked severely (several times!) so Yamaha gave me a new clarinet. Again, I repeat, I don't care if it turns out bad. I'm pretty much using this clarinet for parts and such now.

Thanks for your time! I have always been a curious person and like to do hands on projects. Pictures don't suffice for me! Thanks again!



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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: Bnatural 
Date:   2005-08-17 03:19

I'm sure there is a more efficient way of doing this but, when I did a barrell, for the same reason (curiousity) I used a plastic cup, distilled alcohol, paper towels

I oiled the barrell from time to time to keep some oil in the wood...

I think I read this in one of the threads about unstaining, (The Doctor) L. Omar I believe was the one that said most of it.

Good luck, I was impressed w/ how it looked personally

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: L. Omar Henderson 
Date:   2005-08-17 10:52

You can use any commercial paint remover that you get at the hardware store. The new limonene (citrus based solvents) are probably better than most for grenadilla. Follow the instructions and use them outside or in a well ventilated space. I have developed my own formulations that are kinder to the wood but just for a barrel the paint removers would be fine. You should then use a good bore oil repeatedly to get some oil back in the wood because the paint removers will leech out oil too.
L. Omar Henderson

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: D 
Date:   2005-08-17 17:53

Before you apply oil, leave the barrel somewhere well ventilated until it stops smelling of paint remover/varnish stripper etc. The last thing you want is VOCs or solvents trapped in the wood by oil. That's just asking to have an unpicturesque chemical reaction take place on the surface of the instrument.

Will you post pictures? this sounds like fun and I want to watch!

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: Clarinetgirl06 
Date:   2005-08-17 18:34

OK, thank you everyone! I'll try to do this project by the end of the month!
D- I didn't even think about posting pictures! My mom has a digital camera, so I could get those pictures on the computer. My only problem will be how to post them on this site!

P.S. I love the look of unstained grenadilla. My sister and I were just staring at this beautiful Buffet Festival yesterday (and my sister plays the flute and she thought it was beautiful!). I doubt my barrel will turn out as pretty, but I'm just curious!

Thanks again! Woo, I'm excited!



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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: The Doctor 2017
Date:   2005-08-17 18:47

The idea of leaving it out for all of the organic solvents to evaporate is prudent and right on. Wear latex or nitrile gloves when you apply the stripper too. You actually might have to strip the barrel a couple of times because one stripping often leaves a thin surface film of the lacquer or varnish left (unless you use a whole roll of paper towels and add a little fresh stripper at the end of the process and wipe it off thoroughly) which the oil will not penetrate. It will probably appear a dark chocolate brown color, maybe with some lighter brown-to orange graining. Oiled grenadilla wood does tend to darken over time.
L. Omar Henderson
L. Omar Henderson

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: Clarence 
Date:   2005-08-17 19:19

Klean-Strip Wood Bleach works well.

Oil of any kind will blacken the wood. Even oil from the fingers. The wood is not naturally brown so use a brown dye such as Fiebing's Tan Leather Dye in between each bleach coat.

Forget about any use of oil from now on. You will end up with a black clarinet again.

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: The Doctor 2017
Date:   2005-08-17 19:43

I have stripped many clarinets and the grenadilla wood ranges from almost black through dark chocolate brown to light chocolate brown with lighter brown to brown-orange color grain. The majority have ended up a medium to dark chocolate brown color after stripping. Once stripped you can add back some oil and it will remain the same color. If you wax the surface it will continue to remain the same color but without wax it will gradually darken over time.
L. Omar Henderson

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: jangjiman 
Date:   2005-08-20 03:21

Hey guys, I managed to unstain my yamaha ycl 650 barrel. I got great results. But I was wondering about doing the body. How do you get all the spaces in between? I heard that you shouldn't get paint stripper on the pads so I was wondering how to get in between those keys so your clarinet doesn't look half unstained. Anyone know?



Post Edited (2005-08-20 03:21)

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: L. Omar Henderson 
Date:   2005-08-20 10:45

You should really not attempt it without removing all the keywork from the clarinet because it is pretty much impossible to do a good job without doing this first.
L. Omar Henderson

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2005-08-20 12:57

Plenty of methylated spirits on kitchen roll or a cotton rag does the job removing the stain on some Buffet clarinets (the ones that are stained), then finish the job with a very light oiling of linseed oil and buff to a shine straight away - the grain will shine through.

But do this in a well ventilated area as the fumes, athough not too unpleasant, do get up your nose.

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: BobD 
Date:   2005-08-21 14:15

"I have always been a curious person and like to do hands on projects. "

That does it, I will definitely be cremated.

Bob Draznik

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 Re: DIY Grenadilla UNstaining
Author: Clarinetgirl06 
Date:   2005-08-21 19:24

Bob D- Haha, and why exactly do you want to be cremated?



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