To remove mouthpiece patch without damaging mpc.

[jazzbeau75]

Can anyone out there please advise me how to remove a tenor sax mouthpiece patch easily without damaging the mouthpiece itself. I'm scared to try removing it with a sharp object like a razor blade for fear of scratching and apparently hot water is not advised.
Your advice would be much appreciated.

[Mal 2]

What kind of patch is it?

The thin, clear ones should come off just by picking at them with a fingernail, then pulling when you can get a hold. Soap and water should remove the collected crud around the borders.

If it's one of the thicker black ones, they have two layers. There's a top rubbery layer and a thin adhesive layer below. The two tend to come apart if the patch is left on long enough, and once this happens it may be best to pick off all the rubbery part, then peel off the adhesive part like it was a piece of tape.

[bruce bailey]

Do what he said and then use rubbing alcohol to get the goo off.

[gary]

Do what he said and then use rubbing alcohol to get the goo off.

Bruce is a sax repair technician, so do as he says. However, if you're ever in a bind and can't get to the alcohol, I've had good luck with cork grease also.

[Mal 2]

Bruce is a sax repair technician, so do as he says. However, if you're ever in a bind and can't get to the alcohol, I've had good luck with cork grease also.

Cork grease would help prevent smearing adhesive around, since it would be unable to stick to the grease once it's peeled loose. I'm not sure how it helps get it off in the first place. Vaseline or cooking oil would probably do the same thing.

I've used rubbing alcohol for cleanup, and on a metal piece this is obviously just fine. On a relatively new hard rubber mouthpiece it's fine too, but on an older one which has started to get a bit porous, you can end up rubbing off some of the rubber at the same time. In that case I would take a piece of duct tape and stick it to the mouthpiece and remove it, repeating as necessary. Each time it should take some of the adhesive off without hurting the rubber at all. Switch to a new piece of tape whenever you think it will help. When this stops working, break out the alcohol to finish the job.

This is one of those rare jobs where gaffer tape is NOT an improvement, as it is designed to peel away clean. For this job, stick to real duct tape (which is totally unsuitable for actual duct work, but that's another story).

[gary]

Cork grease would help prevent smearing adhesive around, since it would be unable to stick to the grease once it's peeled loose. I'm not sure how it helps get it off in the first place.

Uh, my post was referring to:

...and then use rubbing alcohol to get the goo off.

[Honeyboy]

I once used De-Solve-it to remove some stuff from a hard rubber mouthpiece. It also shined it up and gave it a pleasant citrus smell. Unfortunately, it also removed the red from my lips....just kidding- it's probably poisonous.

I didn't do that, really- I'm not that stupid!

[Rex]

I usually just peel 'em off. As others have already said, you can rub/scrub any remaining adhesive off somehow -- for stubborn residue (including 'calcium' ?), even light scratches on the outside, I've polished with a wet rag and toothpaste with nice results.

[Mal 2]

for stubborn residue (including 'calcium' ?), even light scratches on the outside, I've polished with a wet rag and toothpaste with nice results.

You can get scratches out of CDs that way too.

[bandmommy]

Use a blow dryer set on low to soften the patch/adhesive. The patch should peel off.
I use crisco or another vegetable shortning on a paper towel to remove the remaining goo.
Follow up with a nice luekwarm bubble bath.

[jazzbeau75]

Thank you to all who replied to my post. I'll try these things and I'm sure
one or more will work for me. You are all terrific blokes. What a fantastic site this SOTW is. Thanks again

[MojoBari]

I usually go right to laquer thinner. Its a little overkill but it disolves almost everything.