steaming dampers

[Tom Servinsky]

Here in high humidity/salt land in S. Florida harden dampers are a something
we are constantly dealing with.
Let me offer some quick easy solutions - all of some might be a little more
than a temporary fix but will help.
l. Many times if the damper has remained soft but a slight hardness has
occurred due to rust on the strings, a brush of the finger over the face of
the damper will eliminate the zing.
2. For dampers  a little more stubborn use 220 grit sandpaper ( for an
upright or grand), push the damper pedal down to lift all the dampers and
place the sandpaper between the damper and string.  Return dampers to string
and then gently drag the sandpaper ever so.
3. For more stubborn dampers....sell the new damper job.
Tom Servinsky, RPT
----- Original Message -----
From: "pianolover 88" <pianolover88@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2002 5:39 PM
Subject: Re: steaming dampers


> On older uprights and grands where the dampers are a bit on the hard side,
> I've used that age-old hammer voicing mixture of Isopropyl, water and a
> smidge of fab softener, and viola!- the dampers work fine again. not sure
> how long it will last, but seems to work for a a good while. I would not
use
> too much as it might penetrate too deep and loosen the glue.
>
>
>
> Terry Peterson
>
>
>
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: "Kevin E. Ramsey" <ramsey@extremezone.com>
> Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Subject: Re: steaming dampers
> Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 10:33:11 -0700
>
> Tom, I don't know, but what I do know is that you're probably going to be
> doing a lot more work trying to steam them that it would take to just put
on
> a new set.
>      Is this an upright or a grand, not that it matters much. You glue
them
> on at the piano, and the wedge felt will pretty much find it's home
without
> too much fitting later. I've done it a number of times, and believe me,
it's
> not that hard. Even setting the damper timing is not that hard.
>    ----- Original Message -----
>    From: Tvak@AOL.COM
>    To: pianotech@ptg.org
>    Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2002 9:51 AM
>    Subject: steaming dampers
>
>
>    Anybody ever try steaming dampers to improve their damping ability?
When
>    they get a little hard and don't dampen as well anymore, might not
steam
>    soften them up and enable them to do their job a while longer?
>
>    Tom Sivak
>
>
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