Hello Friends, I just received a call from one of my commercial accounts because of a fire that broke out last weekend. The fire was contained in the kitchen however there was heavy smoke damage throughout the building, affecting the piano. I inspected the piano today and luckily no water or foam was sprayed near the piano. However, there is a fresh coat of surfact rust on the strings that was not present last week when I had tuned the piano last. The insurance adjuster said that it is due to the acidity in the smoke that will cause rust. The customer want us to clean the piano and get rid of the smoke smell. Is there anyone out there with expertise in this area. I'm concerned about the following: Will strings be able to be simply cleaned or will the need to be replaced? Since we deal with rust all the time with regards to salt damage ( South Florida on the coast) we use several techniques that seem to be effective with containing rust. My concerns are with this element of acidity, as the insurance person had stated, in the smoke. Will it have a further effect on the strings if the strings are simply cleaned. Or am I better off restringing, of which I would rather do. About cleaning action parts, besides the obvious? What solutions and materials reverse the effect of smoke? I look foward to your replys.. Tom Servinsky, RPT South Florida PS Florida State Seminar, MAY 1-3, 98 at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriot Hotel. Great classes, great weather, at off-season rates. EMail for more information: tompiano@gate.net or hsrosen@emi.net
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