Lube Problems

[kam544@flash.net]

Hi Joel,

Very late coming with some querys this post of yours regarding Protek.

>I have been having problems with Protek over the past year or so. After
>applying the solution to key bushings and vertical damper lever felt to stop
>or prevent squeaks I find that very shortly after applications that the
>squeak that was there becomes even more apparent and where squeaks
>>weren't present they arise.
>
>This has caused maybe five call backs and personal embarrassment as well as
>inconvenience on mine and my customers behalf.
>
>Has anybody else had this problem?

For key bushings squeaks some contributors on Pianotech have highly
recommended polishing the key pins.  That along with an application of
Protek CLP should minimize, if not eliminate what you describe.

As to the vertical damper lever felt squeaks, I approach this problem from
another direction for more permanent results.  I remove the damper lever
lift rod, polish it with Brasso using 0000 steel wool, then apply a thin
layer of Protek's MPL-1 Fluoropolymer Lubricant.

>I find that the only way to stop the
>squeaks is to apply a huge amount of it.
>This is expensive, wasteful, and seems unprofessional.

I am very liberal with my applications of Protek.  Unlike your assessment,
I don't find this expensive, wasteful, or unprofessional, as opposed to the
results and compensation I receive in return

>I'm afraid to use it now. What's going on here? Is there other products that
>some of you can recommend that work as good as Protek is supposed to work.
>
>Thanks for your feedback.
>
>Joel Swafford, RPT

>From my direct experience I can think of no other products that work as
well as Protek.

Keith McGavern
Registered Piano Technician
Oklahoma Chapter 731
Piano Technicians Guild
USA