Nevin Engle wrote in 110829 MMDigest, "Is there anything that can be
put on the zephir skin to soften it?"  The answer is _no!_  The pouch
should be replaced and should be done so with soft flexible zephyr,
not the same material found at organ supply companies.  If this is
a newer pouch then most likely someone used the wrong type of zephyr
and/or didn't dish it correctly.

Another thing to check would be wear on the valve faces.  Depending on
how much travel the valves originally had, wearing of the valve face
will affect the pouch clearance in such a way that the two will touch.

I thought I would make a posting before comments are made about using
oils, whale blubber, ear wax, etc., for softening pouches. If there is
something wrong with a pouch, as I've always said, simply replace it;
it's far less trouble and you'll have a piece of mind.

I've also mentioned other things to look for, being that zephyr doesn't
shrink.  That's right -- I said it!  Before people make unjustified
comments about zephyr skin shrinking I thought it would be a good idea
to give a couple of common reasons other than just blaming it on the
poor, misunderstood zephyr skin.  I use zephyr on a regular basis in
restorations that require it and or was originally used and consider
myself an authority on its use and behaviors.  Information that I pass
on is of experience, not just unconfirmed rumors and hearsay or taking
one isolated situation and blowing it into something it's not.

It's the same work to do things the right way than the wrong way.
Doing things correctly always pays off at the end.

Musically,
Robert Loeffler - Roberts Musical Restorations
http://www.robertsmusicalrestorations.com/ 

 [ Almost any thin animal membrane can be called "zephyr" or "zephir".
 [ Please tell us how you test the material you buy to verify that it
 [ is suitable for use as a pouch membrane.  See also the MMD articles
 [ indexed at http://www.mmdigest.com/archives/KWIC/Z/zephyr.html 
 [ -- Robbie