In my effort to stay 'authentic' I tried to use zephyr skins for the
valve pouches of my 1912 Heinzman 88-note player.  No matter what I
tried I could not prevent nor remove the wrinkles on the edges when
installing them with a suction tools or by using just my fingers.

In my frustration I ordered skins from different suppliers who all
claim to have the best skins available, whatever that means, but
without success.  As an aside, although old and peeling, the original
pouches had absolutely no wrinkles on the edges and were beautifully
centered, which must be another trick.  So, I reluctantly went back to
using pouch leather which gave me no problems.  The 'dish', by-the-way,
is 1/8" with a well diameter of 7/8 ".

Now I need to seal these pouches.  In the past I have used diluted
rubber cement.  Reading the MMD over the past period I have noticed
others mentioning the use of Dow Silicone vacuum grease, Dow Corning
111 silicone grease and diluted white glue.  One highly respected
supplier has sold me a tube of SIL-GLYDE, which primary function as
listed on the tube is, "O-ring assembly, weather stripping, brake
parts, brake boots and seals".  It is made by American Grease Stick
Company and contains Silicone.

So, I want to do the best job possible, so should I play "put the tails
on the donkey", or does anybody have any strong feelings and experience
for and with any of those products and methods?  Any comments would be
appreciated.

Albert de Boer