Brass & Woodwind Hardware — Valves, Mouthpieces, Necks & Key Axles
Challenge: A repair studio removed saliva proteins, mouth minerals, sweat oxide and polish residue from valve pistons, mouthpieces, sax neck receivers, flute key axles and trill cups. Pad/felt/cork hardware was moisture-sensitive; heated solvent could soften shellac and dull lacquer.
Solution: ACMESONIC Ultrasonic Cleaner, SUS304, no heater. 28 kHz for sturdy braces, 40 kHz for pistons/mouthpieces/casings, 68 kHz for valve ports and key axle holes, degas mode for mild brass/woodwind solution, semi mode for lacquered/silver/nickel-silver parts. Only hardware without pads/felts/corks entered the tank.
Outcome: Valve ports, mouthpiece shanks and key holes decontaminated without shellac heat damage or lacquer dulling; ambient cycles shortened overhaul time.
