[pianotech] Lead contamination abatement protocol

[Nicholas Gravagne]

Andrew,

Makes me wonder why this maker's leads are throwing off pixie dust.
Key leads have been around for many decades, so this is a relatively
rare occurrence?, but one that may become common. Lead, like asbestos,
is now widely known as an environmental pollutant.

While on the subject, I have sprayed heavy coats of lacquer on my
clip-on leveling leads. (Of course I sprayed the lacquer in an
unventilated area and passed out on my shop floor for two days. The
UPS guy found me). Don't know how effective the lacquer thing is over
the long haul. I have also dipped a few clip-ons in a liquid called
Plasti Dip.

See http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip

When working with new key leads I always wear tight fitting gloves
(Home Depot) and then wash the gloves after use and seal the new leads
with fast drying varnish, etc.  Also, I am conscious not to touch my
face during the lead work.

(The lacquer and UPS guy thing, that was a joke, right?)

Andrew, as to your situation, replacing the leads seems like
unnecessary invasive surgery, although it may come down to that. I
would treat the existing leads with a very strong sealant, perhaps an
epoxy paint treatment or the Plasti Dip treatment. Look for dust some
weeks later. I doubt you will see any. If you do, then you will know
for sure.

Let us know.

Nick


>> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Andrew Anderson
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 3:09 PM
>> To: pianotech at ptg.org
>> Subject: [pianotech] Lead contamination abatement protocol
>>
>> There has been some disparate discussion of this in the past.  Perhaps
>> we could pull together our best procedures on this matter.
>>
>> The subject is a Wurlitzer from Korea.  Silver dust under the weights
>> in the keys on the keybed and keyframe.  Leads are not protruding out
>> of the key (yet).
>>
>> Do you moist wipe off the loose stuff, bag the towels, and than seal
>> the lead from the air with some sort of paint/sealer?
>>
>> Is replacement necessary?
>>
>> Ideas?
>>
>> Andrew Anderson
>>
>
>



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