Vertigris

[David W. Pitsch]

In all this talk about "VERTIGRIS" I can't help but wonder where this name came
from.
Anybody know?

JimBirch@aol.com wrote:

> Richard, the vertigris can be found in the whip and jack flanges. Take a
> closer look at those whip flanges.  Sometimes the green is not on the outside
> of the flange but removing the pin will expose that pretty green.  Jacks and
> whips are pinned looser than the hammer shanks so they take longer to hang up.
> Testing the high treble jacks for freedom will reveal the vertigris if it is
> present.
>
> I've had good luck with the Protek.  It sometimes takes two applications
> before the centers stay free.  It is important to work each center to break up
> the green crud.  For the shanks, I give them a bounce test making sure eacn
> hammer responds the same.  It is amazing how that treble will sing when those
> hammers can get up and away on time.
>
> One must be aware that it may be necessary to reduce the rep. spring tension
> after using Protek.  Usually someone has come along and increased the tension
> to compensate for the sluggish centers.  You may end up with double striking
> hammers.
>
> Protek has saved the day for those clients who don't have the money to replace
> the action parts, or where the original hammers are in great shape and sound
> so good.  As with any of the lubricants, it is important to stress to the
> client that the action needs to be exercised on a regular basis.  One of my
> clients who didn't play, made a padded piece of wood that could play about two
> octaves at a time.  This allowed them to move the parts from rest position
> keeping the action free.  I always emphasize the word exercise rather than
> playing, because as we all know, the high treble and low bass don't see much
> action in the normal household playing.
>
> Give Protek a try, I think you'll like the results.
>
> Jim Birch, RPT