Sticky armrest?

[shaundeane]

Hi - I'm donating a mandolin to a good cause and before handing it over, I took the armrest off and was disappointed to see that the clamp "cushions" left residue on the surface of the top. I've used guitar polish but there was definitely some sort of reaction. Got me concerned about my other (nicer) mandolins so I immediately took those armrests off to check. One left a bit of shadow on my old Gibson A3 - it's not a big deal and no issue on my 2018 Girouard but now I'm gun shy and don't want too reinstall them. Too bad because I really do like the positioning. I'll play for a while without - probably something I can get used to pretty easily.

Has anyone else had this problem and/or is there a fix for this? Was thinking maybe something between the instrument body and the cushion but that gets pretty precise and I'd still worry about "bleed through" over time, I think.

[jim simpson]

Best fix is to leave the armrest on the mandolin. I've got armrest on my 3 and they will stay on if I should part with one.

[J Mangio]

If you want an armrest, scrape off the substance the mfg. calls cork from the clamps, go to a thrift shop and buy a cheap real leather handbag, trace the
armrest clamps onto the leather, cutout the leather and place it between clamps and Mando.

[shaundeane]

If you want an armrest, scrape off the substance the mfg. calls cork from the clamps, go to a thrift shop and buy a cheap real leather handbag, trace the
armrest clamps onto the leather, cutout the leather and place it between clamps and Mando.

Now that makes sense! What a great idea. Thank you! I have some pieces I trimmed off Lakota Leather straps that might work just right. Thanks again, I'm on it! I really do like the armrest and was bummed to pull it off, plus it looks nice.

[Markus]

I would not reinstall without changing the backing material to something that will not react to your mandolin top - or at least not react with the tops on the expensive ones that your heirs would like to resell or keep for themselves.

[shaundeane]

I would not reinstall without changing the backing material to something that will not react to your mandolin top - or at least not react with the tops on the expensive ones that your heirs would like to resell or keep for themselves.

I'm with you. Seems like the leather suggestion makes sense? I have a leather strap under the fretboard (A model) and see no signs of anything on the body, so probably OK, I think. But yes, that was my whole concern. I don't mind playing nicks and dings but if I can avoid outright damage, of course, I'd like to do so.

[DHopkins]

Nuthin' but leather for me. Never a problem and no marks or residue.