Pad Savers and tarnish strips

JustBreathe · Post by **JustBreathe** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:56 pm

These swabs that are intended to be left in the flute...are they recommended?

What about the anti-tarnish strips?

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:33 pm

I wouldn't use the pad savers as a primary swab, and leaving it in the case ( having all of that moisture in the case isn't good for the flute). It is okay to use them if you use a swab to clean the flute out, and then insert the pad savers dry. This way they will continue to absorb moisture, and pull it (the moisture) away from the flute. I however don't like them and don't use them, but it is up to you. To me, it seems like they leave lint in the flute, and it gets stuck in the toneholes, and then it doesn't play as well.

I really like the anti-tarnish strips. I would use those (but I don't have any

). But, if you can get any of the strips, use them. They are great.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:39 pm

I would say no on both the pad savers and the tarnish strips. They are intended to be kept in the flute to wick away any moisture from the air that might get to the pads, but many people also use them to swab out the flute (which puts any moisture that might have been removed from the flute right up against the pads again. So long as you do not swab the flute with them (you'll need a separate rag and the cleaning rod, or something along the lines of a flute flag for the actually swabbing), you should be okay. You really don't need them, unless you live in a particularly humid environment, as the normal swabbing routine will keep pads good for years, without any other accessories, but if you feel the desire to buy them, so long as they are used properly, there should be no problem. As for the tarnish strips, I dislike them. I had them once, they made no discernible difference to how much tarnish developed on the flute (perhaps that's just me, though). Regardless, they have to be replaced regularly, which will cost you money that could be put to a better use, and tarnish will not affect how the flute plays, and can usually be removed quite easily by you or your repair tech when you take your flute in for a COA/Overhaul. Of course, some people adore these strips, and for those who really want a tarnish-free flute, they might be useful in the long run, but I can't say I would purchase them.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 6:44 pm

See, it really varies on the strips. I like them. He doesn't. But I do agree, that tarnish doesn't really affect the instrument, and it can be taken off by a good tech. I however do everything in my power to prevent tarnish (I am a neat freak, so the slightest smudge freaks me out if I cant get it off). But, if you don't use them, it really doesn't matter that much. Some people's flutes aren't affected by them (the strips) because of all sorts of things like thier skin oils or thier environment.

I guess in a situation like this, it is your call.

JustBreathe · Post by **JustBreathe** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:22 pm

I have been swabbing my flute following each practice with a rod and cleaning rag, as well as wiping off the exterior with the polishing cloth. I definitely could see how you would not want to leave a wet swab inside the flute, and inside the case. When I saw the pad saver on an online instrument store, I thought it might be a new-fangled must-have to absorb rimnents of moisture.

About the tarnishing, I do tend to be a perfectionist with possessions that I am fond of...smudges, tarnish, scratches and god-forbid dents will freak me out too! hmmmm....I'll have to read up on exactly how these anti-tarnish strips work.

JustBreathe · Post by **JustBreathe** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:28 pm

oh also...on occassion I have felt some of the moisture build up leak out of a hole after I have been playing for a while. Do you guys swab out your flutes intermittantly during sessions or only after you are done?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:47 pm

The tarnish strips work by absorbing tarnish causing chemicals (like sulfur) from the air, and trapping them in the strip. If you practice long enough, you certainly might need to swab the flute out, but I rarely need to do so. I would think it depends on how much you naturally salivate, the temperature difference between the flute and the air, and a number of other factors. Certainly it's fine to swab it out in the middle of a practice session (flute flags are great for this, as you don't have to take the flute apart to swab it out), but you may not always need to.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:49 pm

It really depends with me when I swab it out. If I am just practicing by my self, I will swab it out immediately. It I am at a rehearsal, I might do it, but only if it is really bad. In a performance..... well I have never had that problem, so I don't know what I would do. I guess I would just ignore it and go on.

But, if you do want to swab the instrument out without taking it apart, you can buy things called flute flags. they look like a rod with a felt sleeve over it. Then all you do, is screw the handle on, and stick it up the flute, and turn it as you go. I sweeps out all of the moisture. I think they are really neat.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:54 pm

Pad savers are a gimick in my opinion. I am not going to leave anything inside my flute that contains moisture. I have also heard a tech say that the fibers that come off of them (like carpet fibers) can get trapped between the pad and the tone hole causing pad problems later on. I also recommend swabbing your flute every time you play, regardless of how long. Just a precautionary measure to help keep as much moisture as posible out. I sometimes swab mine out during rehearsals as well (only as needed).

I use silver strips with my silver flute, and I have noticed a difference when I use them. However, they do not remove existing tarnish, and if your flute is tarnished a great deal to begin with, they will do little good. Tarnish really does nothing to the flute.

flutegeek1992 · Post by **flutegeek1992** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:37 pm

I dislike pad savers. I used them in 6th grade and found that they left lint in the flute. As for tarnish removal, I use these cloths my teacher got me--Musical Instrument Polishing Wipes by Allora Deluxe. She got them at flute convention, but the back says they can be found at WWBW. They work wonders and really get the tarnish off. I wipe it down weekly with one--they can last for at least a month if not a little longer.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:43 pm

Wiping the flute down with a microfiber cloth (what I use I got from Tom Green when I bought my flute, but they are readily available) to remove all of the skin oils will also drastically help cut down on tarnish. You should really do it every time you play the flute for the greatest effect, but they can be washed, and then you don't have to buy new cloths.

flutegeek1992 · Post by **flutegeek1992** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:44 pm

I've always heard to NOT wash the tarnish clothes because it will affect the use??

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:49 pm

Tarnish cloths and microfiber cloths are different. Some tarnish cloths (incidentally those that really shouldn't be used on a flute) contain chemicals to strip the tarnish off, and washing them certainly will affect how well they work. Other tarnish cloths can be washed with no change to their effectiveness. Microfiber cloths are simply cloths with an extremly close weave, that absorb oils from the flute. They do not remove tarnish, but rather, help prevent it.

flutegeek1992 · Post by **flutegeek1992** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:58 pm

okay, gotcha. So if you already have tarnish, you should use an tarnish removing product, but if you just want to prevent it you should use a microfiber cloth?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:04 pm

If you already have tarnish, it's best to leave it alone until a repair tech can clean it. The constant cleaning with abrasives (which most tarnish removers have) will strip metal from the flute, doing more damage than good in the long run, especially considering that tarnish will have absolutely no effect on how well the flute plays. An occasional polish should do it, and in between, use of a microfiber cloth will help to fend off the return of tarnish.