WD-40

[Dick Beaton]

Hi all..
WD-40 stinks...literally!  Thw WD stands for water dispersal.  WD-40 is not
really a lubricant.  It loosens up stuck nuts, etc.  I surely wouldnt use it
on a felt bushing!!!!!
Dick MT
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Mannino <dmannino@kawaius.com>
To: 'pianotech@ptg.org' <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Friday, September 11, 1998 6:23 PM
Subject: RE: WD-40


>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
>