Dear List, I got the impulse to make a list of all the substances recommended on Pianotech for this activity and was going to try each and every one to find out the truth as to which one was best for myself. The guinea pig was a Cable-Nelson spinet with ivories and plenty of sticky tape stuff. >Varsol >Naptha (Varnish Makers and Painters) >Imperial Cleaner >Lighter fluid (Ronson) >Kerosene >Goo Gone >Citrus solvent (non-toxic) >Benzine >Rubber Cement Thinner >WD-40 >Mineral spirits I started off with Goo Gone, then one not listed called Oops. They worked okay after soaking for about a minute or so, then proceeded to hand the project over to my wife, Carol, as I was going to the store to buy some lighter fluid. While I was gone and during the key cleaning process, she decided to get the Fantastik bottle from under the kitchen sink to clean the hammer rest rail. When she was done, she thought, "Why not try this on the sticky tape stuff?" She did, and let me share with you that it works beyond belief compared to the Oops & Goo Gone, doesn't stink, and only has to soak for a few seconds at the most. This *was* on ivories only, so I will be cautious when I encounter plastics with the same problem, however, Fantastik will be the first product I'll try. Keith McGavern kam544@earthlink.net Registered Piano Technician Oklahoma Chapter 731 Piano Technicians Guild USA
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