Methanol

[piano2ba1 at att.net]

Methanol of high refinement can be bought from an auto supply store or dept. store and is somestimes called "dry gas", a fuel additive which is poisonous. It is used to dissolve water which forms in a car's gas tank and may clog the fuel line in winter. I have used highly refined industrial methanol, which is also highly poisonous and yet has no odor, but fortunately you need very little and should always used adequate ventilation because you can't smell it unless it has additive. 
I was told that methanol may shrink the wood around the bushing of the flange or hammer shank if too much is applied. It dissipates moisture, so it is good for humid conditions, but must be used sparingly. On NY Steinway parts, the methanol will "flush out" the solid lubricant impregnated within the wool of the bushings so that extra care must be used on those in particular.
Gary Bauchman, RPT  

-------------- Original message from Israel Stein <custos3 at comcast.net>: -------------- 


> At 08:47 PM 3/18/2006, "William R. Monroe" wrote: 
> >James, List, 
> > 
> >I'm sure this has been discussed, and I may look the fool to ask, but, any 
> >reason not to use denatured alcohol (aka ethanol, aka grain alcohol)? I 
> >keep a bottle of anhydrous denatured alcohol on hand for mixing/dissolving 
> >shellac flakes. Is there a reason to stay away from this for piano work? 
> >It is much less harmful to us/environment, although it does evaporate 
> >slightly more slowly than methanol. 
> > 
> >curious as george, 
> >William R. Monroe 
> 
> 
> Methanol is a lot faster-acting and much more effective. I switched 
> from denatured alcohol to Methanol several years ago... 
> 
> Israel Stein 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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