Re: [Harp-L] Propolene Glycol

[Mike Wilbur <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I found the same thing David.....little dab will do ya

Mike Wilbur


> On Nov 9, 2014, at 5:56 PM, David Fairweather <dmf273@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> I've read countless posts here on harp-l about never using any kind of
> lubricant on your chromatic slide mechanism.   Maybe I have particularly
> sticky saliva, but I've never been able to use any chromatic but a CX-12
> without the slide sticking.   I've used plain water or distilled water as a
> temporary fix, but the slide begins sticking again for me within 5-10
> minutes tops.     I got so fed up that I decided to experiment.   I got
> some food-grade propolene glycol.   I dipped a Q-tip in it and then pressed
> out any excess so that the Q-tip was moist but not dripping.  I then
> applied a miniscule amount to the slide of a Seydel Deluxe.  So miniscule
> that I could barely even see a difference.
> 
> It worked!  I was able to play for HOURS, not minutes, before I got even a
> hint of sticking.  The label on the propolene glycol bottle says that the
> stuff is hydrophobic,  so I'm wondering if that's helping keep my saliva
> from sticking to the slide.
> 
> After more than two hours of playing,  I did start to feel a tiny bit of
> sticking so I put the harp away with no further tinkering or cleaning.  I
> know that without that propolene glycol,  today my saliva would have dried
> up and completely frozen up that slide.   But I just tried it again, 24
> hours later and the slide was still free with just that same tiny bit of
> sticking it had when I put it away.
> 
> So far I've detected no adverse effects upon my reeds or valves.   I'll
> report back if I have any significant issues, but so far I have to consider
> this experiment a success!