White piano, yellow keys -- HELP!

[Richard Wagner]

Glenn,

Before you do anything else, make a "faint" scratch into the plastic key
material where it won't be seen.

As an example, scratch into the keyfront below the keyslip line, or into
the tail section of the key which is covered by the fallboard.

If, after "lightly" scratching, you see "white" plastic, you can be assured
that the discoloration, which is only on the top surface, can be removed by
sanding.

Start by sanding with 200 or 320 grit paper.  Follow this with a finer grit
to remove scratches.  Then buff on the wheel.
  
>>I told him to wait.  I was afraid he would make them worse.<<

I doubt that using a buffing wheel would make the problem worse but it
might melt the plastic if you're not careful.

If this doesn't work, replace the keytops. 

                            
                                             Richard Wagner RPT










 

At 07:45 PM 12/30/97 -0700, you wrote:
>Hello All.
>
>I've been working for a small shop.  The owner keeps buying these junkers
>from some company in Florida.  They originate in Asia somewhere (lots of
>Yams with 2 pedals.).  That is why my questions to the list have been
>becoming more frequent.  I tried searching the archives but found nothing
>with the present search capabilities we have.
>
>He has me working on a 1959 K. Kawai.  It is white.  They keys are yellow.
>I tried cleaning them but it looks like they need more.  Is there a
>bleaching process for plastic keys?  He wants to use his buffing wheel but I
>told him to wait.  I was afraid he would make them worse.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Glenn.
>
>There is nothing like learning by doing!  HELP!
>
>
>