WD-40 rebuttal

[Mike Imbler]

James, I have learned from your posts, and enjoyed your observations.  I
certainly did not intend to portray a vitriolic stance (I couldn't even
spell that without checking your post!).  I have practiced as a mechanical
engineer for over twenty years, and have my opinion on the topic, but I
thought I had made it clear that I was not contradicting other's practical
experience, but trying to add my personal observations to the discussion!

PS.   You're right, my S&S is never going to get sluggish due to lack of
use or too much moisture!

                               Best Regards,  Mike
----------
> From: pianoman <pianoman@inlink.com>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: WD-40 rebuttal
> Date: Friday, September 11, 1998 10:38 PM
> 
> 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
> > >