Verdigris

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Norm:

The post below just has to be "tongue firmly planted in cheeck".

This is exactly what Steinway thought in the early 60's. It took 20 years
to clear that "permanent solution."

That's why I say "You gotta be kidding".

I just hope that the graphite impregnated bushing cloth does not turn out
to be a problem in another 20 years.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

PS On the other hand maybe what we need in the piano business is planned
obsolescence just as they have in the automobile business. Do you suppose?

On Thu, 12 Feb 1998, Norm Barrett wrote:

> This sounds like a good question. It also sounds like a lot of trouble. Another
> solution to this problem has been in the back of my mind for a long time. It
> seems to me that it would be easier to accomplish than Susan's suggestion and
> certainly more certain. Knock out the old bushings and replace them with the
> teflon bushings. Has anyone ever tried this? I cannot see how the verdigris would
> ever come back using this method. The labor involved is complicated by having to
> remove enough of the birdseye to make room for the teflon bushing but this should
> be a permanent solution.
> 
> 
> Susan Kline wrote:
> 
> > Since the problem arises from sulfuric acid, is there some way to get the
> > whole flange and cloth and rail areas more basic? Some little trick with
> > baking soda in water and alcohol, for instance? (The alcohol to cut through
> > the paraffin...)
> >
> > If rebushing, for instance, could one wash the cloth thoroughly to remove
> > any sulfuric acid mordant, and then rinse in a baking soda solution? Has
> > anyone ever tried this?
> >
> 
> 
> 
>