Got Tobacco smell out of used blackwood flute - thanks!

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 4:00 pm

Thanks! I did it!
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Original text:

How do I get rid of it?

~Jessie

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: JessieK on 2002-10-28 21:46 ]</font>

BruceW · Post by **BruceW** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 4:53 pm

If it's your new Olwell, you get rid of it by selling it to me!

(The Hammy is great, though)

Bruce

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 5:12 pm

Cute, Bruce.

jimr · Post by **jimr** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 5:26 pm

I bought a Guild acoustic guitar years back and it took quite a long time to "lose" that odor. Lots of air, a new case, etc.

You can try denatured alcohol, swab and wipe dry inside, then outside. After it drys, in a minute or two, apply Almond oil and hope for the best.

Jim

PS Michael agrees with this approach.

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 5:29 pm

Alcohol? That's scary! But I'll do it. Thanks, Jim.

Jessie

jimr · Post by **jimr** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 5:36 pm

It's a great solvent and evaporates quickly. Repeated applications may pull oils out, but this should freshen the surface at least. Otherwise only time will work. I wonder what's in that Fabrese (sp?) stuff.

I will test Acetone tomorrow when I get to the shop. That's the other "universal" solvent other than Water.

Jim

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 6:17 pm

Yeah, I considered acetone. I don't want to hurt the flute just to make it smell better. I have to get some denatured alcohol tomorrow. We're out of it.

Jessie

Alan · Post by **Alan** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:09 pm

I have used baking soda to kill bad odors in tennis shoes etc. Maybe put the flute in a box with a container of that? Not sure if it would draw out too much moisture or not though so perhaps someone else might have additional info regarding this approach?

mshurley · Post by **mshurley** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:15 pm

If you can find an O3 (Ozone) generator used for air filtration, you can set them both in a closed room for a couple of days and the smell will go away. Same type systems duct cleaning companies use to clean up smell in homes after fires leave smoke damage... Shouldn't be damaging to any surface like solvents.

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:45 pm

I did it! I used acetone (SCARY) and it got rid of the smell (and appeared to dry the wood severely) immediately. I gave it a serious oil bath after that and now it looks and smells great.

Jessie

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 5:36 am

Almond oil ?

gcollins · Post by **gcollins** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 5:37 am

I soaked mine in tobacco oil, and now it smells great.

Loren · Post by **Loren** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 6:15 am

G.,

Just make sure to leave your flutes to me in the will.... or at least plan to hand them over when you have to have dual lipectomies, due to the lip and mouth Cancer you have on the way....

Loren

JessieK · Post by **JessieK** » Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:14 am

Yes, almond oil.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: JessieK on 2002-10-30 11:14 ]</font>