TLG - Posted - 07/28/2011:  11:58:45

What was the name of the  stuff you can put on a calfskin head to stop or slow down the moisture ?

Thanks, Tommy

dickinnorwich - Posted - 07/28/2011:  12:09:55

quote:

---

Originally posted by TLG

What was the name of the  stuff you can put on a calfskin head to stop or slow down the moisture ?

 

Thanks, Tommy

---

Tom:

John Balch told me to use the same spray one would use for waterproofing clothing. I'm guessing it has silicone in it.

raybob - Posted - 07/28/2011:  12:22:47

I use a product that was made to use on shoes.  Shoes and calf skin both leather products... makes sense to me.  The product I have currently is a spray made by the Kiwi company. 

I take the head off the banjo, and I usually put two coats on and allow to dry between coats (maybe and hour or two is all it takes).  I'll wait maybe till the next day for the second coat to dry, I want it as dry as it's going to get before I put it on and tighten it.  Good time to do others things that may need doing on the banjo while the head and strings are off.  Have fun.

Jason Wilkerson - Posted - 07/28/2011:  12:33:06

Does this affect the tone at all?

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 07/28/2011:  12:48:40

I suspect it would change the tone to one degree or another. What I'm more curious about is what it will do for keeping the head tight in sloppy humidity.

Anyone got anything to say on how well this stuff works?

jbalch - Posted - 07/28/2011:  12:52:42

I use leather waterproofing spray. My current can was purchased at Rack Room Shoes for about $5.  It is called ""Rain&Stain repellent". Other brands and types are fine too I'm sure.

It does not change the appearance or sound of the hide at all (that I can tell).

It does not totally eliminate sagging due to high humidity.  But I think it does help.

I remove the mounted head from the banjo and treat with two (2) coats.  I spray the top, bottom and crown. After  it dries thoroughly, reassemble the banjo and tension the head normally.

My hide heads still respond to the weather.  I think they do improve (and move less) over time and they become thoroughly stretched and seasoned.  I sometimes tighten them in very humid weather and loosen a bit when the dry heat is running in the winter.  On some banjos, I use a slightly taller bridge during the most humid days of summer.

Natural skin heads require extra effort. But  I personally like the sound of them enough to deal with the hassles. I hope that helps.

(I'm linking this thread to the hide heads group)

SFI - Posted - 07/28/2011:  13:29:30

I use Thompson's Waterseal. I take the head off the banjo, and soak it down with Thompsons. I'll let it dry & offgas for a few days before reassembly.

I used to use Scotchguard, but the formula has changed to a waterborn solution and does goofy things to a calf head.

carlb - Posted - 07/28/2011:  15:33:38

I don't use any stabilizer but I do carry three bridges (1/2, 5/8 and 11/16"). Yes, the tone is different as the humidity changes but it's always good.

Ks_5-picker - Posted - 07/28/2011:  17:22:52

I know a guy who uses nothing more than white shoe polish on his old head.......he claims it works fine.  You can sand a bit off if you get it too thick. 

jbalch - Posted - 07/30/2011:  05:26:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ks_5-picker



 

I know a guy who uses nothing more than white shoe polish on his old head.......he claims it works fine.  You can sand a bit off if you get it too thick. 

---

I've heard of that too. I think some folks might have done it to make their heads look clean and white.

It seems like shoe polish would build-up a waxy residue that would have to affect tone. I don't know if it would be a bad effect...just seems like it would add mass to the head and change the way it vibrates.