Protecting plain wire from rust

[Geoff Sykes]

No, it's a grand. I haven't actually tested the RH. I replaced the DC at her
request. I'm not so sure this was a good idea in that after replacement to
the new "smart" DC the rusting appeared to accelerate. I checked the DC and
it is installed correctly and is working as I believe it should. However, I
think there are some environment things working against it. The piano sits
under a forced air heater duct, and about 6' away from a sliding glass door
into the back yard. Additionally, she only lives a couple of miles from the
beach and the humidity in the area is generally higher than the rest of LA.
I unplugged the humidifier part of the DC and that appears to have helped
the rusting. I'm thinking that an overly dry room right next to a the
outside humidity was causing the humidifier to work harder than desirable
for the environment. Next visit I may just unplug the whole thing from the
wall. I don't think the de-humidifier is necessary in that room, and
besides, she complains about the blinking lights from the disconnected, (and
now dry), humidifier.

-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles




-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Farrell
Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 2:57 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Protecting plain wire from rust


IMHO, the strings in a piano equipped with a properly operating DC system 
will not develope rust. Have you monitored the RH of the piano interior (is 
this an upright)?

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message ----- 
> I have a customer with a 1919 Hazelton Bros. piano that I service
> regularly
> that has rusty strings. The piano has had a DC in it for years. I recently
> replaced it as the tank for the old one literally fell out of the piano.
> Nevertheless, and in spite of the fact that the DC is functionally 
> correctly
> and is properly maintained, the strings continue to show increasing signs 
> of
> rust. Do you think that employing your Vaseline treatment to these strings
> at this late stage might be beneficial? If yes, how would you go about
> applying this treatment to strings already in the piano?
>
> -- Geoff Sykes
> -- Assoc. Los Angeles