[JoAnnPeeler]

I just purchased a used soprano that based on its serial no. is from the late 1980s. I suspect the pads are original but I would not know how to judge that. What I can say is that they are not new. There are no tears and only slight discoloration on the pads covering normally closed tone holes (i.e. C#, G#, chromatic-F#, etc.) I think for the most part (other than the slight darkening) they look pretty good; however, they look like they should be cleaned. The pads that are normally open look almost new. What is the best system to clean or treat older pads? Over the years I've heard suggestions like lighter fluid, alcohol, lemon oil, etc. but since there are a lot of really informed minds here on the forum I thought I would reach out for advice.

 

[turf3]

Why do you think the pads need to be cleaned? I rather doubt they do.

Lighter fluid or alcohol would be candidates. Do NOT use any oil, as it will polymerize and become sticky. Three guesses how I know this and the first two don't count.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

Why do you think the pads need to be cleaned?

Two reasons:

1. Some of the pad seats look to have a little crud in them and are a little sticky.
2. To help them last longer.

Maybe I'm over thinking it.

 

[jgreiner]

Naptha (VM&P) and a Q-tip. Would probably be best if you removed the keys to clean the pads as I'd bet if there's any sticking, the tone holes themselves also need to be cleaned.

 

[soybean]

… Some of the pad seats look to have a little crud in them and are a little sticky…

Then I would clean them too. Use lighter fluid otherwise known as naptha. Try and find some Q-tips that aren't too soft as those can come apart and leave little bits of cotton. You can clean most of them without taking the keys off.

 

[jgreiner]

Then I would clean them too. Use lighter fluid otherwise known as naptha. Try and find some Q-tips that aren't too soft as those can come apart and leave little bits of cotton. You can clean most of them without taking the keys off.

Is there an echo in here?

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

Is there an echo in here?

Just some reverb.

 

[Reedscraper]

Whatever you use to clean or soften (I always use Neatsfoot Oil a leather preservative) use a pipe cleaner instead of a Q Tip. No cotton comes loose and it is much smaller in circumference which allows you to get underneath the smaller keys or on a soprano.

 

[sandster]

Whatever you use to clean or soften (I always use Neatsfoot Oil a leather preservative) use a pipe cleaner instead of a Q Tip. No cotton comes loose and it is much smaller in circumference which allows you to get underneath the smaller keys or on a soprano.

Thanks for the pipe cleaner tip!

 

[milandro]

There have been many many threads about " conditioning" pads, I count at least a couple of hundreds. This is a reoccurring theme.

Almost universally techs don't recommend anything other than cleaning. A judicious use of the search engine returns lots of previous threads.

Let me point you in the direction of just a few I found for you.

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?84330-Help-whats-a-good-pad-cleaner
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?155038-Conditioning-Old-Pads-with-what
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?101003-Way-to-soften-older-pads
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?290498-Lexol-a-good-conditioner
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?160496-DRIED-out-OLD-pads-Home-remedies

I have found very good to spray silicone on older pads

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

There have been many many threads about " conditioning" pads, I count at least a couple of hundreds. This is a reoccurring theme.

Let me point you in the direction of just a few I found for you.

[SNIP]

Now I'm a little embarrassed. I did scroll through a couple of pages manually looking for some recent posts about pads, but I must have lost my patience and forgot to do a keyword search. Thanks for doing that for me. I hope I can repay it someday (or pay it forward.) I will be checking these out posthaste.

I have found very good to spray silicone on older pads

I've seen some shops that advertise that sort of treatment. I think Kessler & Sons repair does that with their overhauls. When you say a silicon spray are you talking about a silicon lubricant spray, or ...?

 

[milandro]

Don't worry , !

Anyway, the silicon spray I use for this (and many other purposes) is a lubricant but of course unlike many oils doesn't stick or form a base for gunk ( at least I have never noticed it does).

It is made by Aerolon. I spray it on some blotting paper (or absorbing anyway) the I put the paper between the pad and the tonehole and open and close the key, this transfers a small amount silicon to the pad without soaking it (some techs object to soaking the pad because this would harden the material under the pad although not all pads are the same but we are going into the minefield).

This also makes the pad non sticky (at least for a while). Clean the pad before you use it, if there is any visible gunk, otherwise don't waste you time and just use it.

MY opinion take it for what's worth it. I'll be lynched now.

 

[turf3]

The siliconE lubricant probably does not polymerize and oxidize and become sticky like hydrocarbon oils.

Does it appear to soften leather that's hardened?

Please note that silicon is a hard brittle silvery-colored element; siliconE is a family of polymers with a wide variety of uses (chains of silicon and oxygen atoms are the main constituent of the polymers).

 

[Dr G]

Now I'm a little embarrassed. I did scroll through a couple of pages manually looking for some recent posts about pads, but I must have lost my patience and forgot to do a keyword search.

Thanks for the thread JoAnn. I usually recommend Runyon "Pad Dope". In fact, I just finished applying it to my sop. I used to use it every year or so, when I lived in the desert. Not so often recently - but it's great for revitalizing old pads, as well as making them more waterproof.

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

Here is one sure way to make sure your pads don't give you trouble............

 

[jski2011]

+1 for Runyon Pad Dope

 

[milandro]

Does it appear to soften leather that's hardened?

Yes

 

[Hassles]

all the oils and other things suggested here 'may' be fine IF you are dismantling your saxophone otherwise buy some "Pad Life", apply it to a small piece of cloth and draw it between the keycup and the tone hole until the cloth comes out clean. Search here for "Pad Life" and read the posts. FWIW - I've used Neatsfoot Oil cautiously applied having removed all the keys.

 

[milandro]

I don’t see why what works with “ pad life” wouldn’t work with other things too

 

[Hassles]

as the keys are small on a soprano "treating" the pads will be close to impossible without disassembly so to simply and easily "clean" the pads "Pad Life" (as suggested and recommended by othees here in numerous posts) would be the OPs best option - IMO