Caring for your B.A.C. Flute
Caring for your flute has never been easier! Here are some tips and tricks to care for your flute.
Daily Maintenance
Pass the end of the polishing gauze through the hole in the tip of the cleaning rod.
Wrap the polishing gauze around the cleaning rod so that the metallic part of the cleaning rod's tip is not exposed.
Remove the moisture from the main tube of the flute by turning the rod in the same direction as the direction in which the cloth is wrapped around the rod.
Removing moisture from the pads
If the pads are damp after the instrument has been played, remove the moisture from the pads by inserting cleaning paper or dollar bill into the spaces between the pads and the tone holes. Do this even if pads are not damp.
Insert cleaning paper between the pad and the tone hole, and lightly press the key a few times. Repeat this operation two or three times, applying the paper to different spots on the pad.
Removing dirt from the surface of the instrument
Gently wipe the length of the body of the flute with a polishing cloth, taking care not to apply pressure to the keys. If dark spots appear on the surface of the flute that can't be wiped off with a polishing cloth alone, it is effective to use a silver cloth and or silver polish.
Weekly / Monthly care and maintenance
Inspecting the keys
Screws may naturally loosen on their own. Check the condition of the keys and tighten the screws, if necessary. If keys feel loose, take them to a certified technician as soon as possible to be checked out.
Applying key oil
Ask a certified technician for assistance, apply a small amount of key oil to the moving parts of the keys. Be careful not to use too much oil. After applying the oil, press the keys to properly work in the oil. Be sure to completely wipe off any residual oil that may be left on the surface
The joints need to be cleaned, too
Before attempting, make sure to ask a certified technician to show you how to properly clean the joints. Here are some quick tips: If you feel that joints are getting stiff, then you should wipe them with a cloth to remove any dust, dirt, and debris. f the flute is very dirty, wiping it with a silver cloth will remove any fine dirt. Since the joints of the flute are made of fitted metal, never put cork grease or any other kind of grease on them. The joints of the flute are adjusted to have clearances of mere microns. If grease gets on the joints, dirt and dust will adhere to them, which can end up damaging the joints and in severe cases, they may get stuck together. If it still feels dirty, take it in to be properly cleaned.
We hope that these tips help your instrument live a long and happy life! As always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions at orders@bacmusic.com or 816-945-9133
