[CAUT] Backcovers?

[Stan Kroeker]

Diane,

I've tried several  techniques but have returned to squares of psa  
velcro about every 5" around the cover.  As you've experienced, the  
adhesive eventually fails, so I once attempt to stitch the squares ...  
and failed dismally as the sewing needle got gummed up with  
adhesive ... and it's way too slow.

I've settled on this simple technique ... desktop stapler with  
'premium' staples.  First, before loading the stapler, color the tops  
of the staples with a black permanent marker and then staple twice for  
each 1" square of velcro (on the fabric of course).  I use the 'loop'  
half of the velcro on the fabric, only because it's softer and a  
little more pliable.  The black staples are hardly visible against the  
black fabric and they hold the velcro squares securely ... never had a  
failure.

The 'hook' half of the velcro squares are attached to the underside of  
the rim with two staples from a staple gun.  The shortest ones work  
just fine and usually drive to full depth without assistance from a  
hammer.  Some clients get a little nervous when they see (and/or hear)  
staples being fired into their precious instrument but so far, no one  
has ever prohibited me from doing it.

The beauty of Cramer's hot-melt hemming tape technique is it's a  
single-appointment installation.  For whatever reason, I like the  
tailored appearance of a machine-stitched hem around the perimeter of  
my bottom covers, so it necessitates two service appointments, first  
to pattern and then to install.

Best regards,

Stan Kroeker, RPT

On 22-Sep-10, at 11:31 AM, Diane Hofstetter wrote:

> 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
>
>
>
>

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