I'd like to see this discussed on the open list- my bias, of course les bartlett houston On Sun, 15 Aug 1999 12:54:33 -0400 "Robin Blankenship" <itune@new-quest.net> writes: >Ted, >A colleague of mine uses starter fluid (ether) to initially freeup >stubborn >centers. Then follows up with Protek. Without the second step, the >sluggishness returns. If you will email me privately, I would be >happy to >go into greater detail. >Robin >----- Original Message ----- >From: Ted Simmons <ted@brevard.net> >To: <pianotech@ptg.org> >Sent: Sunday, August 15, 1999 12:27 PM >Subject: Center Pin Lube > > >>On Friday morning our local newspaper had a Quick Fix hint that >stirred my >>curiosity. It said "To remove sticky substances, even gum, from >carpet or >>fabric, use brake cleaner. It is the same chemical dry cleaners use. > This >>is also great for removing auto grease from carpet or clothing." I >>wondered if it would work on sluggish center pins. So I bought an >aerosol >>can of it to experiment with. I have 2 Steinway shank/flange >assemblies >>that were so sluggish that I could hold the flange in my fingers and >the >>shank stuck straight out. I sprayed the brake cleaner on the flanges >and >>let it soak for a few minutes. In no time at all the flange was free >and >>the shank swung freely. That was Friday evening and it's now Sunday >and >>the flange still moves freely. I know this is not what one would >consider >>a test of time so I'll let this sit for a week or 2 and see what >happens. >>It would be a good idea if others did a similar experiment to back up >the >>results. The WD-40 craze of the 60's and 70's for center pins was a >dud, >>so I'm leary of using this stuff. >> >>The brake cleaner I used was Prestone Heavy Duty Brake Parts Cleaner >with >>fast dry high performance formula. The ingredients are Acetone, >Heptane, >>Xylene, Ethylbenzene, and Propane. Got it from Wal-mart. It is >extremely >>flammable and should be used in a well-ventilated area. (I think I >just >>scared myself from using it again) >> >>Ted Simmons >>Merritt Island, FL >> >> > ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC