Oily Soot

[harvey]

Greg, in a word -- no. The subject line reads "oily soot". It cannot be
blown away. I'm not an expert on these matters, but can share an experience
that may help clarify.

I was contracted by an restoration service for a second opinion on an
insurance claim. One of my colleagues had already "seen" (key word) the
piano and declared it dirty but otherwise okay. (I think he suggested
cleaning/buffing the keys, and wiping down the case).

The cause on this incident was called 'puff-back' if I remember the buzz
word right. This has something to do with an oil furnace "belching"
backwards through the vents. In this case, furniture, walls, drapes,
everything was effected. The piano (and keys) were dirty of course. A
"look" at the strings indicated everything was normal. However, running
fingers back and forth along the strings gave a different indication -- oil
slick.

Have you ever handled fuel oil, kerosene, or #2 diesel fuel? There's a
reason people wear gloves when handling these materials. I felt the oily
portion would, at a minimum, work it's way between bridges and strings,
therefore acting like a shock absorber, and perhaps eventually leech around
tuning pins and into the tuning pin holes. I was also concerned about the
long-term corrosive effects on strings and other parts. 

I made my report accordingly, that of concern for down-stream problems. I
don't know the results, since I was only contracted for my opinion. The
piano may have been completely restored or replaced. Or, perhaps someone
cleaned and buffed the key covers(!)

This incident only indicates that I considered more than what was
immediately and visually apparent. The experience goes into my bag of
diagnostic methods, should I ever encounter the same scenario. More than
likely, the next time will be a different type of fire/damage, and I'll
need to rethink the matter.

For the record, I have this incident, "resulting" water damage, dry
chemicals, and plaster dust in my experiences. There's still a long way to
go. I'm sure this is what Majestic piano concluded long ago... that each
situation is different, and must be handled accordingly. I mention this
because, at least I (we) can now have a second opinion -- I was blazing my
own trails until now.

Sorry, I tried to make it brief!

At 02:59 AM 3/14/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Wim,
>        Thank you for your reply! I'd like to pursue this just a little
farther
>and ask if this is the prescribed repair for every instrument with smoke 
>damage. I
[cut]



Jim Harvey, RPT
Greenwood, SC
harvey@greenwood.net
________________________
 -- someone who's been in the field too long.