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Silica gel

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guernseyman
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Guernseyman

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What is the wisdom of having a silica gel pack in a gig bag with the accordion in it to prevent damp?
 
The same wisdom as using silica gel in a hard case. JIM D.
 
A somewhat cryptic answer Jim. And what is the wisdom of hard case silica gel?
 
To capture moisture and keep it from the accordion. Moisture will damage almost any musical instrument made of wood, leather,and corrosive metals after time. JIM D.
 
I have read that by the time items get to the user, the gel has done pretty much all the absorbing it can - so no point in using what came with the product??
Comments anyone?
 
dunlustin said:
I have read that by the time items get to the user, the gel has done pretty much all the absorbing it can - so no point in using what came with the product??
Comments anyone?
Click to expand...
Probably true, but you can carefully resurrect it by placing in a warm over for some hours.
Also, if you can source it, the silica gel itself is not expensive in kilogram quantities.

Idea to self... how about storing your accordion in the oven? :lol:
 
You can find silica gel packs on amazon that can be used - dried in an oven and be re-used forever. JIM D.
 
JIM D. said:
You can find silica gel packs on amazon that can be used - dried in an oven and be re-used forever. JIM D.
Click to expand...

Go on then - leading to the following questions...

How do you know when to dry them?
Will a microwave do it quicker? Or what..?
Will more/bigger bags mean less frequent drying?
Can the storage environment be TOO dry for an accordion?
 
So, a good thing in a case or gig bag?????????
 
When we purchased a ukulele in the islands, we were informed that if we left without the little humidifier vial, we'd have no recourse with the maker if the wood were to split. I think this may be a big problem for ukuleles brought to central North America, where there are big humidity changes from winter to summer. Here in the Pacific Northwest, not so much.

I'm not sure soulsaver's request for detailed instructions for a case dessicator wasn't for the sake of humor. I'd be surprised if many owners have done this, so it's the kind of thing where you have to be a bit of a pioneer. But just at a guess ...
- Don't use a microwave, do it in an oven (ideally electric! because gas combustion produces water vapor.)
- More dessicant absorbs more water.
- The wood parts of an accordion benefit most from a stable humidity regime, because water affects wood's size and it will serve you best if it stays the same size all the time.
 
Sorry it's like a trip to the dentist Bob but as my name suggest, I'm from the Channel Islands where damp is an eternal problem because none of us is far from the sea. At this time of year before heating goes on, the damp nature of the air can have a profound effect upon instruments. II own a cherry wood serenellini 72bass accordion and wanted to know if silica gel would be a good thing to add to the case to minimise damp but being a wooden instrument I didn't want the silica gel to damage the wood of the accordion. Wow - you're right, it is like pulling teeth. Any dentists around who can give me the definitive answer?
 
Thanks Knobby - good spot.

Heres what it says about drying these (but prob good for non colour indicating ones too?) - as eventually the ebay listing could disappear.
The best way to regenerate the silica gel is to either
Put them on a airing cupboard tank for a couple of days under the jacket
Or
On top of the radiator for a couple of days
Or until they change back to orange
If you do put the sachets in the oven
And onto to a ovenproof bowl/tray for a couple of hours
With the temp no more than 70 Celsius
Some of the silica gel will stay dark green if there is to much temperature
But will not affect the way they work.
 
Guernseyman said:
Sorry its like a trip to the dentist Bob but as my name suggest, Im from the Channel Islands where damp is an eternal problem because none of us is far from the sea. At this time of year before heating goes on, the damp nature of the air can have a profound effect upon instruments. II own a cherry wood serenellini 72bass accordion and wanted to know if silica gel would be a good thing to add to the case to minimise damp but being a wooden instrument I didnt want the silica gel to damage the wood of the accordion. Wow - youre right, it is like pulling teeth. Any dentists around who can give me the dignities answer?
Click to expand...

I feel guilty now, :( ....
 
So everyone. Is it ok to use silica gel with a wooden accordion?
 
You can use silica gel packets for moisture damage prevention with any musical instrument. JIM D.
 
Where humidity is an issue eg parts of USA, it is often strongly recommended to protect guitars - but thinking about it that is more about humidifiers to avoid wood drying out?.
If you accept that an acoustic guitar is more susceptible to drying out , it follows that silica gel will be OK for an accordion.
Also you tend to find it in the packing with new instruments whatever they are.
In Guernsey I wouldn't hesitate to protect given the damp atmosphere but to what extent is the real problem the salt content of the air rather than humidity levels?
I kept free reed instruments on a narrow boat for 9 years with no problem even with mists swirling about - but then that wasn't brine.
On the other hand, they built a bridge for the Olympics in Weymouth - by a cove, stainless steel, exposed to the easterlies - it was rusting within weeks and they had to take a scouring pad to it before the sailors arrived.
I'm thinking out loud because I realise I don't know what's best near the sea.
One last thought - if the gel only absorbs the water - what happens to the salt?
 
Someone suggested that the best environment for an accordion is one which is best for us, i.e. a comfortable temperature, not too humid, not in direct sunlight for long periods of time. Dunlustin, if you’re are worried about salt, do you have an issue with it inside you home? If not, it’s unlikely to affect your instruents.

BobM.
 
Near the ocean, salt-bearing mists sure can get indoors and corrode appliances, electronics, etc. The case itself might be a defense, but I think people mainly just get used to the impermanence of things.
 
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