The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: firecolin123
Date: 2015-06-29 23:45
This has probably been a discussion on the BBoards before, but I was wondering how to remove tarnish from my keys? Also, how can one keep their keys from tarnishing?
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Buffet R-13 w/ nickel plated keys; 5RV Lyre mouthpiece; Bonade inverted ligature; Vandoren V-12 3.5 reeds
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-30 00:11
If you have a brand new horn and you are experiencing just some "fogginess" of the finish or slight discoloration, it will be easy enough to just wipe the keys off regularly with a 100% cotton flannel cloth (obtained at any decent fabric store). If the tarnish is a bit more stubborn, you can work it off with a metal polishing cloth, but continue to do the daily wiping with the plain cotton cloth (no chemicals or abrasives). The problem with using the dedicated silver polishing cloth is that it works by REMOVING fine layers of the finish!
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-06-30 01:50
I've been using clear nail polish on my nickel plated keys ever since reading about others here doing that. Renew as needed. Remove with polish remover if and when you don't want it any more. I don't see a downside. $5 of polish should last you 10 years.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-30 03:53
It may not bother some, but nail polish makes the surface VERY tacky. I don't even see how sliding (if polish is used on the pinky keys) would even be possible.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: lordraptor1
Date: 2015-06-30 04:37
because nail polish is nitro cellulose based and will fade, and soften over time, in case of clear it will yellow and crack, ( just look at some pics of vintage gibson guitars) also nitro takes a LONG time to fully cure in the 30 day + timeframe ( and yes this includes a womans nail polish, they are removing it long before it has ever fully hardened LOL).
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-06-30 06:26
I first tried polish on a junker clarinet, then when that worked well I tried a couple of keys on my main player. I didn't feel much difference. Maybe I got lucky with the type of polish (actually finish coat) my daughter loaned me, I'm sure they're not all created equal. Anyway, like with anything, test small areas first before going crazy with it. I was skeptical- how could it be that easy? But it was. If tarnish is a constant battle for you- this may well be the fix.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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