Lubricating V-bar

[John Ross]

I think it was Roger Jolly, that suggested to me, that rubbing the ridge on the plate of a grand that the strings pass over, with paraffin wax worked to lubricate.
Now where did I put that book of Merle Mason's, (is that his name) that tells me what the parts of the piano are called?
So that should work on the V-bar of an upright too.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: paul bruesch 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 1:49 PM
  Subject: Re: Lubricating V-bar


  The other day, after having a wound bi-chord string break during a 25c pitch raise, I touched the V-bar with some Protek for other strings that looked a little rusty.  I did my best to prevent creep into the windings, but hey, who knows what might happen, microscopically and/or over time.  

  I'm thinking maybe it's a good idea to carry a brass brush (another ~50grams!?!?) with me for these pianos. Would it be ideal or necessary to lower tension on the string before brushing the V-bar?  If so, should they be so loose as to move freely side-to-side? (I'm thinking primarily bass strings.) Loosen a half-dozen at a time, brush, PR, lather, rinse, repeat?? Brush parallel to the strings, or parallel to the V-bar? Take precautions to keep rusty dust from contaminating the windings??

  Thanks,
  Paul Bruesch
  Stillwater, MN


  On Feb 17, 2008 8:29 AM, tom <tomtuner at verizon.net> wrote:

          Lose the WD 40 and go to protek (IMO).Just don't let any lube of any kind migrate to the windings.

         Actually I would clean off the plate contact point with a brass brush and forget the lube .By the time rust becomes a factor on a new string I'll be dead anyway.

      I regularly use protek on the plain wire plate bearing points especially during pitch raises but you can kill a wound string with any contamination.

    Best wishes,

          Tom Driscoll


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