[CAUT] [pianotech] Sharp Keystick Touch-Up

[Ed Sutton]

Fiebing's USMC Black Leather Dye.
>From Tandy Leather Store or piano tech. supply houses.
Apply with a flat watercolor brush, 1/2 or 3/4 inch, cheap ones from craft 
stores.
Paint in place if you're really good with a brush; if not, pull the 
keysticks.
It dries very quickly.

While you're at it, you may want to clean the sides of the naturals for a 
spiffy upgrade. Cory Coconut cleaner is one way to go, scrubbing lightly 
with scotch brite or a kitchen scrubber, then wiping with a towel. Clean the 
keytops and adjacent case parts, too.

People will notice.

Ed Sutton


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Milesi" <paul at pmpiano.com>
To: "PTG Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>; "PTG CAUT List" <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 10:22 AM
Subject: [pianotech] Sharp Keystick Touch-Up


>I have many pianos at the school that need extensive touch-up of the black
> paint on the keysticks of sharps -- more extensive than can probably be 
> done
> efficiently and easily with a Sharpie I think.  What are the best 
> techniques
> and materials for re-applying paint or other black substance to the
> keysticks?  Best paint and source?  Should I mask off the sharps?  Spray 
> vs
> brush or other applicators?
>
> Many are Steinway and Baldwin grands, some nice pianos, so I'd like to do 
> a
> good, clean job here.  Thanks for any advice.
> -- 
> Paul Milesi
> Staff Piano Technician
> Howard University Department of Music
> Washington, DC
> (202) 806-4565 Shop/Office
> (202) 246-3136 Cell
>
>