[pianotech] Lead contamination abatement protocol

[Ron Nossaman]

On 3/25/2011 6:08 PM, Kerry Cooper wrote:
> To coat the lead weights, I have been using shellac since my days as an
> apprentice in 1963. This works well as a sealant as player techs would know.
>
> If the lead has started to oxidize, then it will grow and will need
> replacing in the future. There has been discussion here in Oz about why in
> some pianos lead grows and others in the same room do not. When I was an
> apprentice, i was told to add zinc to the molten lead to stop or slow down
> this oxidization process.

Yes, shellac works fine. More specifically, burnt shellac. It not only 
seals the surface, it sticks to the lead better than lacquer, and soaks 
in around the perimeter and glues loose leads in nicely in the process.
Ron N