Key/Pad Cleaning

kdell · Post by **kdell** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:12 pm

Well, I have an old flute, and the keys have been sticking a lot. My band teacher showed me a quick fix...fold a $ bill into thirds or fourths (it doesn't really matter...just fold it!) and slide it underneath the pads. Press onto the keys, and while still applying pressure, slide the bil out from under the keys. Grime and dirt will come out, and your keys won't stick so much! Repeat for all keys. Also, a piece of paper folded wil work, but not as well. Any other ideas?

FltnPicc_David · Post by **FltnPicc_David** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 7:04 pm

STILL APPLYING PRESSURE!?! You could damge the skiun on the pads if you pull out the bill while pressure is still applied.

angelic_devil · Post by **angelic_devil** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 1:09 am

OMFG!!! What ever you do, DO NOT LISTEN TO YOURS OR ANY OTHER BAND DIRECTOR ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FLUTE!!! I can not believe what some band directors will say! NEVER, NEVER EVER!!! Put a dollar bill under your flute pad to clean them. You are damaging your pads and not cleaning them one bit. Think about it for a momment. Do you really thing a dollar bill is going to clean anything when it has got to be one of the filthiest things around? Do you know how many people have handled it. Not to mention all the ink that is on it. YUCK! Go back and tell your BD that he or she is an idiot and should not be giving out advice.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:36 am

my best advice would be to purchase pad cleaning paper. But, If there is no alternative, actually a new dollar bill is sort of okay. It isnt the best, but usable if there is no alternative. However, I will edit your method of cleaning. put the paper under the pad, and apply light pressure. then, pull the paper ever so slightly (not all of the way out. pulling all of the way out is what damages the pad) outwards. then, release pressure, and pull the paper out. Dont use too much pressure. I personally prefer the pad paper, but if you dont have any, a new dollar bill is...... okay I guess.

Another trick that a friend of mine taught me (he works at a repair shop) was to take normal paper, and put a few drops of a silicone based oil onto it, and use the above method of cleaning it. I dont know what kind of oil it was, but it stops the sticking, and repairs the pad surface of any minor damage. I know it sounds crazy, and I still am not sure of what kind of oil they used, but it works like a charm. But I would not advise this method unless you have the right materials, and know what you are doing.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 7:58 pm

fluteguy18 wrote:my best advice would be to purchase pad cleaning paper. But, If there is no alternative, actually a new dollar bill is sort of okay. It isnt the best, but usable if there is no alternative. However, I will edit your method of cleaning. put the paper under the pad, and apply light pressure. then, pull the paper ever so slightly (not all of the way out. pulling all of the way out is what damages the pad) outwards. then, release pressure, and pull the paper out. Dont use too much pressure. I personally prefer the pad paper, but if you dont have any, a new dollar bill is...... okay I guess.

We're getting closer, but still aren't quite there. Put the paper under the key, apply light pressure, release pressure and remove paper. Never pull the paper out however slightly while pressure is applied. If will abrade the pads over time, and runs the risk of ripping the paper, which can leave a membrane over the pad to vibrate while you play.

Meredith · Post by **Meredith** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 8:04 pm

Re: Paper -- Cigarette paper works quite nicely, too.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 8:05 pm

Meredith wrote:Re: Paper -- Cigarette paper works quite nicely, too.

Yes it does, but be sure to buy ungummed cigarette paper, or trim off the edge with the adhesive.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:30 pm

hmm ......... oh well. I have tried many different ways, and the way I do it works fine in my opinion, and hasnt damaged my pads yet (and they are almost 6 years old). I guess follow flutepicc's method, but whatever floats your boat.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:34 pm

fluteguy18 wrote:hmm ......... oh well. I have tried many different ways, and the way I do it works fine in my opinion, and hasnt damaged my pads yet (and they are almost 6 years old). I guess follow flutepicc's method, but whatever floats your boat.

Chances are you have experienced less pad damage as your technique does not involve pulling the whole of the paper out, and reduces the amount of friction. I personally disagree with pulling the paper out at all, as it will harm the pads, but if you have to pull it, by all means use your technique over the "push on the key, and pull the paper out" method.

Meredith · Post by **Meredith** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:06 pm

flutepicc06 wrote:
Yes it [cigarette paper] does [work nicely], but be sure to buy ungummed cigarette paper, or trim off the edge with the adhesive.

I didn't even know that they manufacture gummed paper. Thanks for the tip -- now I know to keep an eye out for that.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:12 pm

Meredith wrote:
flutepicc06 wrote:
Yes it [cigarette paper] does [work nicely], but be sure to buy ungummed cigarette paper, or trim off the edge with the adhesive.

I didn't even know that they manufacture gummed paper. Thanks for the tip -- now I know to keep an eye out for that.

From what I've seen (though it might be a regional thing), most cigarette paper is gummed so that you can seal the cigarette once you've rolled the tobacco in the paper. You don't want that adhesive getting anywhere near your pads, so do watch out for it. In any event, you're very welcome!

Meredith · Post by **Meredith** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:50 am

Just to make sure -- the gum's location is going to be obvious on the paper? Or is it invisible, and you need to feel for it?

cflutist · Post by **cflutist** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:56 am

It is obvious - looks like the gummed edge on an envelope - but is only about 1/8 " wide. I just stick the other end in under the pads. Works for me.

mikeh · Post by **mikeh** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:21 pm

angelic_devil wrote:OMFG!!! What ever you do, DO NOT LISTEN TO YOURS OR ANY OTHER BAND DIRECTOR ON HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FLUTE!!! I can not believe what some band directors will say! NEVER, NEVER EVER!!! Put a dollar bill under your flute pad to clean them. You are damaging your pads and not cleaning them one bit. Think about it for a momment. Do you really thing a dollar bill is going to clean anything when it has got to be one of the filthiest things around? Do you know how many people have handled it. Not to mention all the ink that is on it. YUCK! Go back and tell your BD that he or she is an idiot and should not be giving out advice.

FREAK OUT MAN!!! FREAK OUT!!!