finger gunk poll

[Alan McCoy]

I tried a new magic potion today. VM & P Naptha. Worked very well, didn't
remove any stain, dries fast and clean. It just dissolves the gunk, which
ends up in the cloth, and dries. Fumes are not bad.

Today's quiz: Why is a Steinway monkey called a monkey?

Alan McCoy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf Of Jim
> Harvey
> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 7:27 PM
> To: caut@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: finger gunk poll
>
>
> This is essentially a summary of previous replies, with personal
> variations. I was going to reply earlier, but someone threw me off by
> discussing what sounded like key TOP cleaning. Assuming we're
> talking about
> the key SIDES...
>
> Starting with the dry, undisturbed keystick that contains finger
> gunk, aka
> 'cooties';
>
> - use an old-fashioned single-edge razor blade, with or without a holder,
> and positioned either straight down (dulls faster), or at a slight angle.
> The idea is to 'drag' scrape, not cut, so while grain direction should be
> observed, it's not that critical on most keysets. This removes the
> crustaceans that grow on top of the wood. The blade is also effective at
> the keystick and sharp juncture, including where fingernails have
> undercut
> the keystick.Toss the blade on completion;
>
> - for the remaining surface and pore discoloration, I've tried numerous
> things. However, when considering costs, time involved, and minimal
> exposure to haz-mats, I invariably return to Parson's sudsy ammonia. At
> best, it removes all residual traces of dirt. At worst, it spreads
> everything out to provide an illusion of overall cleanliness. A working
> amount of the ammonia is poured out into a disposable container
> (paper cup,
> etc.) for dipping the applicator;
>
> - the applicator can be just about anything. Pre-wetting the
> keystick with
> ammonia is not required, but is sometimes an expedient on really nasty
> keys. If pre-wetting, use a disposable foam brush, acid brush or hammer
> felt scraps. For the final (might be the only) pass, a rag or shop towel
> works, but again considering time versus results, I use a small square of
> fine (white) Skotch-Brite abrasive pad (aka steel wool substitute), which
> easily rinses during use, before finally being tossed. I've also
> considered
> trying one of those nylon bath puffs, or even wadded-up pantyhose. Either
> of these untried methods would defeat the purpose of keeping costs low
> (since the puffs don't lend themselves to being cut to smaller sizes, and
> since I don't routinely have old pantyhose about).
>
> - Aside: I just heard a report that bath puffs have a slightly
> longer life
> than loufa sponges in terms of undesirable bacteria retention, and that
> loufa sponges are rated slightly longer than kitchen sponges,
> which have a
> service life of ... one use!
>
> Therefore, regardless of method, considering that what we're cleaning is
> unknown but undeniably nasty, the focus should be on expendable tools and
> materials.
>
>
> Jim Harvey, RPT
> Greenwood, SC
> harvey@greenwood.net
> ________________________
>   -- someone who's been in the field too long.
>
> _______________________________________________
> caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives