[pianotech] Piano rusting at the beach

[tnrwim at aol.com]

I think Wim had some kind of stuff that he used to keep
ust from happening inside a piano.  Though I'm not sure it would work on
n open grand piano.  Check the archives or... Wim, what was that stuff?
Paul McCloud
San Diego

Paul, Rob

The product is called Rust Blocker. But, Paul, as I already mentioned, I believe Rob was looking for ways to clean the pins, etc. I don't think merely cleaning the pins and strings is going to get rid of the rust and salt water corrosion from under he pressure points, and in between the coils. Re stringing is the only way to get rid of the rust on the strings. And the only way to get rid of the rust on pedals and screws is to re plate them. 

Wim








-----Original Message-----
From: Paul McCloud <pmc033 at earthlink.net>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Mon, Feb 28, 2011 3:38 pm
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Piano rusting at the beach


Hi, Rob:
(From  down the road in San Diego...)
The client should have purchased a string cover, which would have
revented the rust on the strings.  What's done is done, but I bet if they
ot one and kept the strings dry, they would stop rusting so much. 
oisture is going to feed the rust.  I would also put Music Sorb under the
over too, which would absorb moisture.  As far as cleaning the strings,
ou aren't going to get it all especially around the tuning pins.  But you
an make it look better using polita cakes.  These were invented for Polish
irthdays.  Ok, maybe not.  Around the pins you can use a wire brush
hucked in a drill.  I think the supply houses used to have some kind of
oil cleaning device and  compound.  Haven't used it, tho.  I've used a
remel with a wire brush (steel or brass) to clean around the bridge pins
nd other tight places.  
Bass strings will clean with steel wool but don't let it get stuck in the
indings.  Rub along the string and not across it so that won't happen.  
If they don't have a cover, or keep the salt air out of the piano, you'll
e restringing it sooner than later.  I've contemplated using Extend on
usty strings, which is a spray that turns the rust black, but prevents it
rom returning.  I think Wim had some kind of stuff that he used to keep
ust from happening inside a piano.  Though I'm not sure it would work on
n open grand piano.  Check the archives or... Wim, what was that stuff?
Paul McCloud
San Diego

 [Original Message]
 From: Rob McCall <rob at mccallpiano.com>
 To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
 Date: 02/28/2011 12:22:27 PM
 Subject: [pianotech] Piano rusting at the beach

 Greetings List,

 I went down to a town north of San Diego over the weekend to evaluate a
004 Kohler & Campbell KGC650 for possible purchase by a client of mine.
he home is literally across the street from the beach.

 What I found was a level of salt air corrosion and rust on the strings
hat I might expect to see on a 50 year old piano. All bare wire strings
ere completely orange. The bass strings had discolored and had a splotchy
attern on the copper. If the client purchases it, he is interested in
aving it completely restrung. In addition to the strings, I noticed a
urface corrosion (speckling, for lack of a better word...) on the bridge
ins, hitch pins, and to a lesser extent on the tuning pins. Also, most of
he "brass" screws had discoloration, along with what looked like verdigris
n the pedals. The sostenuto pedal had a plastic cover still on it, and
nder the cover it was bright brass.

 The home had a humidifier which kept the house and piano at around 50%
umidity all the time.  The regulation, cabinet, hammers, action,
oundboard, etc. are all in good condition. Pretty much anything that
asn't made of metal was just fine.

 My plan is to remove all the rusty strings and use that opportunity to
ive the rest of it a good de-rusting.

 My question is...  What is the best way (chemical, steel wool,
reatments, etc.) to remove the rust from all the pins, etc.? Once cleaned
f all visible corrosion, will it have a propensity to rust again, faster
han would normally be expected? Is there anything hidden that I should be
ooking for? 



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