On 13 Jan 2010, Gibbons, John wrote: > I can't see LP getting too sticky - I have never noticed that happen. > There isn't much chemistry can take place
I think we are neglecting, or perhaps underestimating would be a better term, the effect of individual players' finger surface chemistry. I suspect that different oils may suit different players/pad combinations. We know that some players (me included) tarnish brass simply by handling it - this is to do with skin acidity levels. Possibly the same sort of interaction causes the oils used to behave differently. I have seen the after effects of olive oil polymerising, particularly on little- used pipes where spectacular snotomers develop, and observed the build up of verdigris from various oils, neatsfoot included, on others' sets of pipes. This effect is most pronounced when pipes are left shut in their boxes and little used. As a result of these observations I would use neither, though I do have neatsfoot about, and I'm not manic about it. Personally I have had no such problems with liquid paraffin, but I accept that others have. I don't understand how, since as John says, it is not reactive. However it is a solvent, as those who tried to use it (again including me) with some of the self-adhesive foam pad materials discovered pretty quickly. Once it has dissolved partcular individuals' "finger chemicals" (for want of a better term) maybe they enable other reactions rather than LP reacting itself. I have reverted to leather pads glued on with shellac, use mainly liq: paraffin, (I am an enthusiastic oiler, on the scale of things) except for bag dressing where neatsfoot is still used. I keep self-adhesive foam pads in my travelling toolkit for emergencies - they are excellent short-term solutions. I'm not using foam pads of any sort as routine since I like to oil, and I can never remember which chanters have got which pads when it comes to it. If an oil / pad combination doesn't work for you, change it, and experiment till you find one that does. If it does work for you, great, but I don't think there is (nor should we expect) a universal substance which will suit everyone in this area. And acetone is readily available in uni. chemistry departments, it should be possible to persuade a friend to part with a small amount provided they understand what you want it for. Just a word of warning though - I worked in such a department, and used acetone regularly, for 10 years (dissolving polymers, funnily enough!). Though I had no problems at the time I now find I have to be extremely wary of it - it sets off an asthma-like reaction and makes it difficult to breathe. Be careful! Julia To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
