[pianotech] removing old celluloid key tops

[John Delacour]

At 21:08 +0100 30/12/08, Gevaert Pierre wrote:

>In the past I had troubles with removing old celluoid keytops 
>(heating, burning) without damaging the wood of the keys.

Just give it more time.  Set the iron to wool, cover the key-top with 
a piece of cotton sheeting and stand the iron on the key for, say, 30 
seconds.  Then immediately get a blunt table knife of the old style 
under the front and lever off the celluloid.  If this softens the 
celluloid too much, reduce the time or lower the temperature of the 
iron.  If it doesn't come off very easily then increase the time. 
There is no danger of damage once you get things right.

JD