Ivory Key cleaning and buffing

[Farrell]

Does the hydrogen peroxide (35%) bleach the wood white also, like wood
bleach? What do you'all do about the bleach/peroxide that runs down the key
side - just make it all white? Or is there some way of preventing the bleach
from running down the key side?

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "carl meyer" <cmpiano@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2000 1:33 PM
Subject: Re: Ivory Key cleaning and buffing


> Ah! Yes!  Yellow irory!  Now if we could just get those dam elephants to
> quit smoking.
>
> Remove the sharps
> Prop the keys with a half inch by half inch stick so that the naturals
> are not resting on the punchings and are flat and level.
> Use a high speed orbital sander with 100 grit paper and cut off the
> surface stain.
> Brush with industrial strength Hydrogen peroxide  (35%) and set in
> bright sun.  Repeat every 20 minutes or so for a day or two. An ultra
> violet lamp might work if it's cloudy, but don't get it too close or it
> might burn and turn brown.  You may have to pray for a bright sun.
> Now resand with ever finer paper until at least 600 grit and then buff
> with compound to polish the tops.  This has worked reasonably well for
> me most of the time except for a couple of very stubborn key tops.
> I hope that helps.
>
> Regards
>
> Carl Meyer  Assoc
> Santa Clara, Ca. 408/984-0482
>
>
>
>
>
> Phil Bondi wrote:
> >
> > ..yes I know - the subject is probably in the archives someplace, but in
my search
> > at the archives, I got 0, nada, zilch.
> >
> > I would appreciate some help on this one - I have an action in my
possession
> > that has yellowed Ivory and they want them WHITE.
> >
> > I have until next Friday to do this.
> >
> > If you respond, please be specific with parts, tools, and materials
needed -
> > I have a minimilstic shop that's getting less minimalistic by the week.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Rook