WD-40 rebuttal

[pianoman]

Hi Dick,	
Yes WD-40 has an odor.  I know it stands for water displacement and that is
why I like it for sluggish actions due to moisture and it also works to
free up tight centers from lack of use.  Yes, I have found that most of the
time it  does work successfully for this for a long time.  I use it on felt
bushings all the time.  As I said before I was underwhelmed with the use of
Protek, silicone spray and the rest.  We can agree to disagree on our
personal observations.  As to the fellow with the B, I would hope your S &
S wouldn't get the chance to get sluggish because of lack of use or too
much moisture.	This whole subject again is turning into a vitriolic stance
against those who have used this product successfully in certain
situations.  Us users have a right to our beliefs based on our experience. 
Do not resort to name calling type phrases to try to prove a point.
James Grebe
R.P.T. of the P.T.G.
 St. Louis, MO.
Competent Service since 1962
 Do what is right and do no harm
 Creator of  Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups and Practical Piano  Peripherals

pianoman@inlink.com        

----------
> From: Dick Beaton <rbeaton@initco.net>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: WD-40
> Date: Friday, September 11, 1998 9:57 PM
> 
> 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
> >