Hi everyone! I'm new here...totally thrilled to have found a flute message board!!
I've had a Muramatsu GX since 2001 and have always just cleaned it with the cleaning cloth that came with it..but I feel it needs something more. Are there any products on the market that are made for cleaning professional flutes? I would send it in for maintenance/overhaul but it's not really in my budget currently (but will start saving for that!). TIA!
flute cleaning advice
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
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pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Re: flute cleaning advice
It's generally recommended that you not try to clean and polish your flute other than using the dry microfiber cloth that came with your flute. Here's why: No matter how careful you are, if you use any type of liquid or paste silver polish on a flute, you will inevitably get some on the pads and on the key mechanism. Any type of silver polish can possibly damage or at the least discolor the pads. Even worse is that if the polish works its way into the key mechanism (and it will if you polish the key shafts), it is a mild abrasive that ends up causing wear to the key shafts, steel rods, and pivot screws.
The only way to safely clean and polish the flute body and keys is to do it by hand when the flute is completely disassembled. That way all traces of the polish can be removed from the inaccessible places. This is typically done as part of a COA (Clean, Oil, and Adjust) procedure.
If your flute has an accumulation of dust and lint under the keys, you can use a small artist's brush to gently remove it. That will not harm the flute or pads. Beyond that, stick with using your microfiber cloth to wipe off the flute after playing and leave the thorough cleaning to a professional technician.
Over time, oil will tend to dry up reducing it's protection and contribute to premature wear of the mechanism. Also, dust and air pollutants work their way into the key mechanism. The keys and steel rods naturally wear a bit themselves and that material acts as an abrasive causing additional wear unless it is removed periodically. During a COA, the flute is disassembled, the rods, pivots screws, and the interior of the key shafts are cleaned to remove these abrasive materials. Fresh oil is applied during the reassembly process, and finally, the flute pads and mechanism are adjusted.
Depending upon how much you play your flute, you should have a COA done every year or two. If your flute has not had a COA since you bought the flute in 2001, it is long overdue. You owe it to yourself and your flute to take care of it to ensure that it is in tip-top working and playing condition. Over time, a flute will go out of adjustment and you may not even be aware of it because it happens so gradually. It is not unusual for a player to find that their flute responds much better after a proper COA.
The only way to safely clean and polish the flute body and keys is to do it by hand when the flute is completely disassembled. That way all traces of the polish can be removed from the inaccessible places. This is typically done as part of a COA (Clean, Oil, and Adjust) procedure.
If your flute has an accumulation of dust and lint under the keys, you can use a small artist's brush to gently remove it. That will not harm the flute or pads. Beyond that, stick with using your microfiber cloth to wipe off the flute after playing and leave the thorough cleaning to a professional technician.
Over time, oil will tend to dry up reducing it's protection and contribute to premature wear of the mechanism. Also, dust and air pollutants work their way into the key mechanism. The keys and steel rods naturally wear a bit themselves and that material acts as an abrasive causing additional wear unless it is removed periodically. During a COA, the flute is disassembled, the rods, pivots screws, and the interior of the key shafts are cleaned to remove these abrasive materials. Fresh oil is applied during the reassembly process, and finally, the flute pads and mechanism are adjusted.
Depending upon how much you play your flute, you should have a COA done every year or two. If your flute has not had a COA since you bought the flute in 2001, it is long overdue. You owe it to yourself and your flute to take care of it to ensure that it is in tip-top working and playing condition. Over time, a flute will go out of adjustment and you may not even be aware of it because it happens so gradually. It is not unusual for a player to find that their flute responds much better after a proper COA.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--
Re: flute cleaning advice
Thank you so much. I really appreciate you taking the time to type out such a detailed reply! I will definitely make that a priority soon. I'm in an orchestra whose season is over in April, so I will aim for that time frame. In the meantime I will polish away with my trusty little cloth!
Re: flute cleaning advice
Most flutes are made out of silver or are silver plated, some are nickle some are gold and yes there are many variations in-between.
But understanding the surface is made of silver makes it easy for cleaning, go to your local jewellery shop and buy some silver cleaning wipes, they are designed for cleaning delicate silver surfaces, keep away from the pads as all cloth's are abrasive in some form and the skin on pads is incredibly thin and delicate.
Do not use household silver cleaners, these are very abrasive and are too harsh for delicate silver.
Also understand that whilst your making the flute look pretty by cleaning it, you are removing some of the surface by carrying out this cleaning process, its only microscopic but it does remove.
The fact that your flute is a quality instrument, not a cheapie, I would seek a local repairer and have them carry out a service, a service will clean the saliva and oils from your mouth and breath, of the pads, this will also reduce the smacking sound pads make when they are dirty.
Enjoy and feel free to ask questions
Steve
But understanding the surface is made of silver makes it easy for cleaning, go to your local jewellery shop and buy some silver cleaning wipes, they are designed for cleaning delicate silver surfaces, keep away from the pads as all cloth's are abrasive in some form and the skin on pads is incredibly thin and delicate.
Do not use household silver cleaners, these are very abrasive and are too harsh for delicate silver.
Also understand that whilst your making the flute look pretty by cleaning it, you are removing some of the surface by carrying out this cleaning process, its only microscopic but it does remove.
The fact that your flute is a quality instrument, not a cheapie, I would seek a local repairer and have them carry out a service, a service will clean the saliva and oils from your mouth and breath, of the pads, this will also reduce the smacking sound pads make when they are dirty.
Enjoy and feel free to ask questions
Steve
Re: flute cleaning advice
I have noticed my mechanism is so noisy lately and I know my pads are in terrible shape. Maybe it's because they are so neglected. I feel so dumb for not having this knowledge!
What do you recommend I use for sticky pads until I get the COA?
Thank you!
What do you recommend I use for sticky pads until I get the COA?
Thank you!
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pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Re: flute cleaning advice
Try Yamaha Powder Papers for pads. You can get a pack from most music stores for less than $10.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--
Re: flute cleaning advice
As pied_piper said, use silk paper (powder is better) to deal with this problem. Sticky pads is not a problem you must wait until an annual COA to get rid of. You must clean sticky pads in a daily basis, or at least when you finish playing and feels that the pads are dirty.
But there is a right way to do it. NEVER pull out the paper while the pad is closed, because even silk paper can be abrasive and may hurt the pad skin. Make many closing-opening movements in the key and changing the position of the paper, so you don't hit the same area of the paper everytime. It helps to breath lightly (very slowly) under the pad so the vapor in your breath help loosen any dirty. After a number of Then, try to close-open the key without the paper and see if it's still sticky. If so, begin all over again until you are satisfied with the results.
Another thing to consider is that most part of the times when the pads get sticky is because of us, flutists. Yes, we must keep good habits before playing a flute, or any instrument with pads. Cleaning the teeth (I always brush them) before playing, or at least making a good cleaning session with pure water is necessary, and the main thing is avoiding anything sweet before playing.
But there is a right way to do it. NEVER pull out the paper while the pad is closed, because even silk paper can be abrasive and may hurt the pad skin. Make many closing-opening movements in the key and changing the position of the paper, so you don't hit the same area of the paper everytime. It helps to breath lightly (very slowly) under the pad so the vapor in your breath help loosen any dirty. After a number of Then, try to close-open the key without the paper and see if it's still sticky. If so, begin all over again until you are satisfied with the results.
Another thing to consider is that most part of the times when the pads get sticky is because of us, flutists. Yes, we must keep good habits before playing a flute, or any instrument with pads. Cleaning the teeth (I always brush them) before playing, or at least making a good cleaning session with pure water is necessary, and the main thing is avoiding anything sweet before playing.
Re: flute cleaning advice
As pied_piper said, use silk paper (powder is better) to deal with this problem. Sticky pads is not a problem you must wait until an annual COA to get rid of. You must clean sticky pads in a daily basis, or at least when you finish playing and feels that the pads are dirty.
But there is a correct way to do it. NEVER pull out the paper while the pad is closed, because even silk paper can be abrasive and may hurt the pad skin. Make many closing-opening movements in the key, changing the position of the paper, so you don't hit the same area of the paper everytime. It helps to breath lightly (very slowly) under the pad so the vapor in your breath help loosen any dirty. Then, try the key without the paper and see if it's still sticky. If so, begin all over again until you are satisfied with the results.
Another thing to consider is that most part of the time when the pads get sticky it's because of us, flutists. Yes, we must keep good habits before playing a flute or any instrument with pads. Cleaning the teeth (I always brush them) before playing, or at least making a good cleaning session with pure water is necessary and the main thing is avoiding anything sweet before playing.
But there is a correct way to do it. NEVER pull out the paper while the pad is closed, because even silk paper can be abrasive and may hurt the pad skin. Make many closing-opening movements in the key, changing the position of the paper, so you don't hit the same area of the paper everytime. It helps to breath lightly (very slowly) under the pad so the vapor in your breath help loosen any dirty. Then, try the key without the paper and see if it's still sticky. If so, begin all over again until you are satisfied with the results.
Another thing to consider is that most part of the time when the pads get sticky it's because of us, flutists. Yes, we must keep good habits before playing a flute or any instrument with pads. Cleaning the teeth (I always brush them) before playing, or at least making a good cleaning session with pure water is necessary and the main thing is avoiding anything sweet before playing.
Re: flute cleaning advice
Whilst Im sure everyone means well, dont use the cleaning pads, they are the bain of my existence. The designers should be shot. So many instruments come in all gunged up and pads torn from repeat applications of these powdered papers.
If your going to attempt to do this yourself, then use some lighter fluid on a q-tip, dont rub the surface simply wipe across and let it flash dry, dont force the q-tip into areas that you cannot easily get it into as you may tear the skin of the pad, ideally get it professionally cleaned.
We, which is no good to people here as we are in australia, on a service we strip all the keys off, hand clean the pads, ultrasonically clean the body, hand polish the body, re-assemble with fresh oils and greases, regulate and test play and change up to 3 pads for 70 dollars. Im sure you can find similiar in your location.
If you go ahead, ask questions first before you do it
Steve
If your going to attempt to do this yourself, then use some lighter fluid on a q-tip, dont rub the surface simply wipe across and let it flash dry, dont force the q-tip into areas that you cannot easily get it into as you may tear the skin of the pad, ideally get it professionally cleaned.
We, which is no good to people here as we are in australia, on a service we strip all the keys off, hand clean the pads, ultrasonically clean the body, hand polish the body, re-assemble with fresh oils and greases, regulate and test play and change up to 3 pads for 70 dollars. Im sure you can find similiar in your location.
If you go ahead, ask questions first before you do it
Steve
Re: flute cleaning advice
lol Even with postage, that's cheaper than it would cost me here in NZ. What sort of turn around time do you have? I'm coming up on the point of getting it cleaned and checked soon...
Re: flute cleaning advice
hmmm. not sure what to do! Maybe I will get the pads but not powdered? I remember once upon a time I had a packet of those.
Re: flute cleaning advice
You need to find some one local, we do not do interstate or overseas.
Re: flute cleaning advice
Ah well... local costs are about $300- $400, so was no harm in trying...
Re: flute cleaning advice
That is a ridiculous price.
A good flute repairer should be able to strip clean and re-assemble a flute and change up to 3 pads within the hr, if it takes longer then that, then find another repairer.
A good flute repairer should be able to strip clean and re-assemble a flute and change up to 3 pads within the hr, if it takes longer then that, then find another repairer.
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leafblower
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2012 9:13 pm
Re: flute cleaning advice
I feel like the dirt on my flute's body isn't really removable by a microfiber cloth. 
My flute's a pretty ancient Artley Symphony that I got 2nd hand, and the guy had it since the 90s.
Well, the body is mostly fine, but the upper half of the headjoint isn't shiny at all. It already looks antique.
My flute's a pretty ancient Artley Symphony that I got 2nd hand, and the guy had it since the 90s.Well, the body is mostly fine, but the upper half of the headjoint isn't shiny at all. It already looks antique.