Mouthpieces Discoloured ebonite mouthpiece

[ArtyLady]

Hi All hope you're all well.

Ive just dug out my Java T55 Ebonite mouthpiece and the whole of the end (that goes on the crook not the mouth end) has gone a pale green/grey colour. I read somewhere this is toxic but the mouth end is normal. Should I buy a new one?

Many thanks 🙂

 

[MikeMorrell]

IMHO, it depends a bit on how you've cleaned the mpc and how you've stored it.

The only reason I say this is that I once sold a sax to another cafe member. I included the mpc, which I soaked beforehand in warm water. With the intention of 'cleaning' the mpc before shipping it off with the sax.

To my horror, my once 'black' ebonite mpc had turned grey/green.

So maybe look at possible causes of 'heat'.

Mike

 

[ArtyLady]

It sat as an ornament for quite a long while in the lounge where the sun comes in in the afternoon I noticed it had discoloured slightly and then it went back the dark dingy musicroom and into it's case. I just pulled it out and it's really bad just on that one end. Fortunately the sax is playing beautifully.

 

[turf3]

Not toxic, just slightly unsightly.

I'd rub a little olive oil on it and see if that darkens it a bit.

There are various potions recommended and I've tried a couple but they appeared to be taking material off the mouthpiece so I didn't pursue.

 

[cappers]

@ArtyLady
If you really like the mpc it can be refurbished quite easily.

I had a similar issue with an old Selmer Soloist I bought from Pete T.
The ad photo showed this:

After being in the hands of the PO for a couple of days this hot summer it arrived like this (I added the patch):

After advice on here I rubbed it down with increasingly finer grades (600,1000,2000 grit) of wet sandpaper, polished it up with "Autosol' car polish then 'Canuba' black car wax. Looks almost new apart from losing the Selmer logo.

@PigSquealer wrote a detailed 'how to' post:
Tech/maintenance - Holton C Melody Restoration

Might be worth a try?

 

[lydian]

Magic Eraser also works fairly well, followed by a little oil. Don't mess with any surfaces the reed touches of course.

 

[ArtyLady]

Not toxic, just slightly unsightly.

I'd rub a little olive oil on it and see if that darkens it a bit.

There are various potions recommended and I've tried a couple but they appeared to be taking material off the mouthpiece so I didn't pursue.

Thank you 🙂 I'm not worried how it looks, I might try that though. I may treat myself to a new one at some point though as I did manage to chip the corner slightly when I first got it but luckily it didn't make any difference phew!

 

[ArtyLady]

@ArtyLady
If you really like the mpc it can be refurbished quite easily.

I had a similar issue with an old Selmer Soloist I bought from Pete T.
The ad photo showed this:
View attachment 31395

After being in the hands of the PO for a couple of days this hot summer it arrived like this (I added the patch):
View attachment 31396

After advice on here I rubbed it down with increasingly finer grades (600,1000,2000 grit) of wet sandpaper, polished it up with "Autosol' car polish then 'Canuba' black car wax. Looks almost new apart from losing the Selmer logo.
View attachment 31397
@PigSquealer wrote a detailed 'how to' post:
Tech/maintenance - Holton C Melody Restoration

Might be worth a try?

Oh wow they did a number on it didn't they!! 😳 Thanks I'll take a look at the link

 

[JayeNM]

Mineral oil is suggested over olive oil, this coming from Phil-Tone. Mineral based preferable on a mouthpiece than vegetable based.

Discoloration does not cause toxicity. It just is unsightly, I do not think one needs to abrtade the surface at all, even with very fine paper steel....although it wouldn't hurt anything really,

I think just mineral oil maybe followed by a fine rouge on a buffing wheel (which OK, IS abrasion, but finer than steel wool) usually restores the color ....

 

[PigSquealer]

Hi All hope you're all well.

Ive just dug out my Java T55 Ebonite mouthpiece and the whole of the end (that goes on the crook not the mouth end) has gone a pale green/grey colour. I read somewhere this is toxic but the mouth end is normal. Should I buy a new one?

Many thanks 🙂

It doesn’t hurt to try the mineral or olive oils first. Especially if the discoloration is light. Still it may take a couple applications this way to achieve a clean black appearance.

For the extreme needs see this thread.
Polishing a Mouthpiece
Tech/maintenance - Polishing a Mouthpiece

 

[PigSquealer]

I think just mineral oil maybe followed by a fine rouge on a buffing wheel (which OK, IS abrasion, but finer than steel wool) usually restores the color ....

This can be done by an experienced person. A DIY may apply too much compound or uneven pressure on wheel or part. This could make the MPC have wavy or have uneven surface(s). The type of wheel composition matters too.
Add the chance of damage from it getting yanked out of your hand also.
If anything a DIY would benefit from attempting this method on a junk MPC first. Practice is a thing.

“An expert is someone who’s made enough mistakes to know the difference”

We often forget our learning experiences 😉

 

[lydian]

Who has a buffing wheel at home? Raise your hand.

 

[turf3]

Who has a buffing wheel at home? Raise your hand.

I've had a bench grinder with buffing wheel at home since I was about 12.

But I wouldn't attack a slightly greenish sax mouthpiece with one.

I won't upset y'all by telling the story about buffing the fishing lure on the buffing wheel...hooks...treble hooks...

 

[PigSquealer]

Who has a buffing wheel at home? Raise your hand.

🙋‍♂️

 

[Targa]

‍

 

[wakyct]

Who has a buffing wheel at home? Raise your hand.

I don't know that a wheel is even necessary, lots of people have cordless drills these days and a buffing bit is a few dollars.

 

[PigSquealer]

I don't know that a wheel is even necessary, lots of people have cordless drills these days and a buffing bit is a few dollars.

Java T55 (tenor ?), $150-$200 mouthpiece. Cordless drill motor on hand, or maybe a Dremel / moto tool. $5-$20 wheel of choice. $7-$15 of rouge. Hold the mouthpiece in one hand. Tool in other. Option, clamp in bench vise... Extreme cation advised.
Feeling lucky on speed setting, 10-36,000 rpm? Each wheel, compound, and product being polished has working parameters.
A soft cloth or paper towel and oil by hand is low risk to the humble DIY.
I’ve not tried toothpaste as a possibility, but….

 

[Colin the Bear]

Electric toothbrush, toothpaste and COLD water. HR doesn't like warmth.

 

[JayeNM]

Who has a buffing wheel at home? Raise your hand.

Crazy idea here.....go to an instrument repair shop, ask a tech to spend 1.5 minutes with it... and get charged maybe $10 ?

Extra perk, it can make the entire 'piece look brand-new as far as color and lustre.

I know, I know...insaaaaane....but hey....it's a Wild, Wild World.

 

[JayeNM]

I don't know that a wheel is even necessary, lots of people have cordless drills these days and a buffing bit is a few dollars.

That'd work too.....matter of fact even a Dremel with a felt buffing attachment. The idea here, goes without saying ...a finer abrasive than emory paper or steel wool which because spinning at a higher velocity, does as good or better a job without being as abrasive.....