Tone-gard vs. Pants

**SincereCorgi** · Sep-09-2011, 3:45am

I kept finding these weird black smudges on the lap of my pants... I figured it was from carrying around a certain type of box at work, but then it gradually dawned on me that the soft rubber ends of my tone-gard must be rubbing on them. Anybody else notice this phenomenon?

(Incidentally, I love the tone-gard, not going to get rid of it, but I guess I might put a little cloth in my lap if I'm wearing nice parts or something.)

**Doug Edwards** · Sep-09-2011, 6:12am

As Tony recommends, use a little Pledge on the rubber guards.
Also, when my TG's paint was flaking, I cleaned it up with a wire brush and repainted it with Rustolium. Changed the color too.

**MadMarine** · Sep-09-2011, 7:08am

I have the same problem. I tried Pledge with no success. I thought about changing the ends with new ones, but rubber is rubber and I doubt that it would work. I play sitting down with 'Amber' in my lap so I just use a bit of nubbly shelf liner under both left and right rubber pads. It is what classical mandolinists use to anchor the mando. Provides stability for me as well.

**Big Joe** · Sep-09-2011, 7:21am

The newer TG's are powder coated so they don't flake the finish like the older painted ones. This reduces the paint chips getting on everything. I've never had a problem with any clothing being affected by anything from my TG's. I can't imagine why it would rub a black residue on your clothing unless it is an old one with the paint flaking off.

**DerTiefster** · Sep-09-2011, 8:08am

There -are- automotive finishes designed to adhere to and flex with the plastic/rubber bumpers that have been prominent in the past couple of decades. Such a rattle-can finish might serve extremely well for covering up a ToneGard.

**Givson** · Sep-09-2011, 8:16am

I would recommend not wearing pants.

**GRW3** · Sep-09-2011, 9:01am

I get the black rub off the rubber too. When I see it I think "I need to choke up the strap a little." Then I go back to playing and end up putting the mandolin away. Then the next time I see the marks I think "I need to choke up the strap a little."

I assume it the carbon black coming out of the rubber. I've thougth of replacing it with Tygon tubing but I am hesitant to experiment. A better idea might be to find some unfilled natural rubber tubing. The black carbon filled rubber is a little more stealthy but the unfilled might be more pants friendly.

**Tom Wright** · Sep-09-2011, 9:33am

I prefer latex tubing for my viola shoulder rest, which used be called surgical. (Now they use vinyl, I think.) A hose and tubing source can sell it, useful size is 1/8" or 3/16" I.D. Also available through slingshot makers.

Grips well, safe for finish until it gets really old and icky. No stain, and replaceable.

**MikeEdgerton** · Sep-09-2011, 10:13am

Don't use vinyl tubing on a laquer finish. Read this article from Frank Ford's www.frets.com.

Is this an older Tone-gard (with the round tubes)? I've never seen this happen on the newer ones I own.

**TonyP** · Sep-09-2011, 11:39am

The black mark is from the rubber, not the old style paint. The new Tone-Gards are all powdercoated. Pretty much inert, non toxic, and bullet proof.

As the rubber gets old, it's oxidizes. It's also very dependent upon the players body chemistry as to how long the rubber lasts
.
I am really careful to find stuff that works, and doesn't harm the finish. Latex I'm sorry, I've seen first hand what it does, and I refuse to use it. So do most luthiers. What I've gone to is 303 Aerospace Protectant. It seems to do the job really well and is a far superior product than to like Armoural(which I don't use because it actually deteriorates what you put it on). So, I'd suggest getting a foot of Gates #27041 7/64" tubing at a good auto parts store, and a bottle of 303. Replace the hose, leaving at least 1/8" over end of the arm. Put some 303 on a paper towel, and rub it into the rubber hose. Let it dry before reinstalling the Gard. Retreat when you change strings. The rubber hose is really cheap, and easy to replace. If you can't find the hose locally, get hold of me and I'll send you enough to replace your old stuff. NC.

**mandobassman** · Sep-10-2011, 3:02pm

I've had a ToneGard on my mandolin for about a year-and-a-half now. I have never had any issuse with marking on my pants or shirt, but I did come across one issue that I didn't anticipate. I played a formal reception at a wedding last night and we had to wear suits. I found my coat buttons caught in the ToneGard a couple of times. I didn't happen often but it did throw me off guard when it did. It doesn't matter though, the TG will not come off.

**Yandy** · Sep-10-2011, 5:22pm

An interesting question, so I tried it at home. The Tone-Gard makes the instrument sound louder and clearer and goes some way to protecting the varnish. Pants are perfect for finish protection, but muffle the strings badly and interfere with picking. Maybe I wasn't fitting them correctly.