[CAUT] Backcovers?

Diane Hofstetter dianepianotuner at msn.com
Wed Sep 22 10:31:47 MDT 2010


Thanks, Cy.
 
I used to install covers with carpet tape, but years later, when I wished to remove it, I had a nightmare trying to get the carpet tape off the back of the piano.  The velcro that DamppChaser sends seems to fall off of it, when I want it to stay on.  Do you have any exprience with taking the cover back off of the hemming tape?

Diane Hofstetter


 


From: cy at shusterpiano.com
To: caut at ptg.org
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:31:03 -0600
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Backcovers?


Yes, in fact I was part of a controlled before-and-after test.  We measured RH swings with a data logger for a week in winter on a C3 (grand) with a full DC system, then added the undercover and measured again.  The range of humidity high/low points was reduced by about a third.  I don't remember the exact numbers, but for example if the system before was controlling humidity within a 30% range (+/- 15%) it improved to a 20% range (+/- 10%).


It's easy to install backcovers on uprights with Mark Cramer's idea of heat-activated hemming tape.  Essentially it's just a strip of hot glue with paper on one side.  You iron it on, let it cool, pull off the paper, tack on the cover with excess on the sides and bottom, iron it in place, and then trim to fit.  I have pictures of an installation I did yesterday if there's interest.


The Dampp-Chaser covers are like speaker cloth, and breathe.  An added benefit for grands is that it keeps kids and animals from getting into the system.


--Cy--







Cy Shuster, RPT
Albuquerque, NM


www.shusterpiano.com
www.facebook.com/shusterpiano


On Sep 22, 2010, at 5:32 AM, Diane Hofstetter wrote:

Well, I was really proud last spring (pride goes before a fall), to seem to have those 9 Kawai UST-9's finally stable.   Wrong!  When I went to tune there this past weekend, the relative humidity was in the 70%  range, three of the DamppChasers were unplugged.  The stage manager was complaining about one of the curtains, which is 5" above the floor level (up from 1"), due to the RH.   The pianos were around 25 cents sharp at the low end of the treble bridge.  The RH inside the pianos with working DC's was in the 60% range.   The pianos I tuned the week before sounded awful.
 
I think I should try back covers.   Does anyone have any experience with them?  I have used heavy duty plastic on the backs of numerous pianos, but never any of the professional covers.  Thank you for recommendations!

Diane Hofstetter



 		 	   		  
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20100922/2267e606/attachment-0001.htm>


More information about the CAUT mailing list

This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC