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Safe way to clean a hard rubber clarinet body?

Author: fuzzystradjazz
Date: 2015-09-17 23:41

I recently purchased a 1920s Conn clarinet (hard rubber). I'm preparing to re-pad the instrument, but notice a pretty aggressive buildup of various oils/dirt around the posts. I'm guessing this is key oil from a century ago, along with the dirt it has since collected.

The clarinet is still in beautiful black condition, and I'd like to keep it that way as I clean it. I've read that soap and water can change the color to the common olive green hue, so I'd like to avoid that. I know early 20th century rubber is different than modern rubber, and was hoping someone here might be able to suggest the best plan for cleaning the body of this instrument.

I've read the posts about cleaning old hard rubber mouthpieces with 1:5 vinegar solutions, etc., but figured this might be different since I'm dealing with oil and dirt instead of calcium or other deposits (plus, I'd prefer not to have to remove the metal posts and vent tubes etc. - especially since I don't know how they are attached in a hard rubber instrument.)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Fuzzy

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