WD-40

[Don Mannino]

James,

> Curious as to WD-40.  I seem to be the only person 
> around who admits to
> using this on action centers.  I have used this for over 30 
> years and have
> had no disastrous consequences using it selectively and 
> carefully including
> my own personal piano.  

Well, it's good you have had success with it. I tried it without success
many years ago in a few disaster situations.

You are right in recommending that it not be used in plastic actions. It
will damage ABS, and will void the piano warranty if used on a Kawai!

Some machinists used to use WD-40 for rust prevention on tools, but they
have generally stopped using it because one of the components in the
formula will corrode steel over time, pitting the material.

If you spray some in a container and leave it open for a while, you will
find that some parts of the liquid evaporate away, and it becomes
progressively more thick and sticky. This isn't generally a good
situation in action centers, although re-application may free it up
again.

I have seen actions in which WD-40 was applied in the 60s (only one of
which was confirmed as WD-40, the others only suspected), and by the 80s
the action centers were very green and "vertigreed."  The one sure case
was a Baldwin grand from the 50s in which the technician had left a note
with the date of lubrication, etc. I cleaned it out with naphtha and
repinned, with at least temporary success, but the piano was then sold
(and the seller told prospective buyers that "the action had been
completely rebuilt by Don Mannino" - AAARRRGGHHH!) so who knows if it
stayed free. It was the last time I agreed to do the cheaper job - I had
counseled them to replace the action parts.

The last objection I have to using WD-40 is the same as with any
lubricant - and this fits what you said, James, about "careful and
precise" application. Many people apply lubricants to centers without
really knowing why they are tight - burrs on the pins, humidity, tight
flange on the birdse-eye, etc.  This means the problem is still there -
it has only been bandaged. In addition, the consistency of friction is
important from one note to the next, and lubricating will not make them
consistent.  Any lubricant should be used to improve performance, not
just cover up a problem.

James, one of your tag lines says:

"Do what is right and do no harm"

I submit to you that not following the advice of others and waiting
until you personally experience the problems that WD-40 can cause before
discontinuing it's use may not fit with your statement.  Is it right to
say you are doing no harm, just because you haven't seen the harm yet?
Perhaps I should put it this way: If you have one piano get gummy and
sticky from the WD-40, will you then go to all the other pianos you have
treated to clean it out?

Is there a reason you think others would say WD-40 is a problem, other
than their having experienced problems with it?  You essentially have
said don't bother to write if you are a "WD-40 hater," but the net
affect of this is to tell people "Don't bother me with the facts, my
mind is made up!"  Well, I don't hate WD-40 (I have a can in the garage,
really!) but I don't use it in pianos.

Please do remember the Kawai warranty issue, at least.

Don Mannino RPT

 



Other reasons for avoiding lubricants in genera