Cleaning keys again

[David Love]

I'm not sure what mouse infestations have to do with your original post.  It
was to keep fingerprints off the sides of the keys wasn't it.  To catch
those little perpetrators who left their prints behind.  Thump???  I don't
see the sides of the keys as being repositories for mouse crap anyway.  I
used to see pianos periodically from a local rebuilder where the soundboard
was covered with wood grained contact paper to cover up the cracks.  It also
allowed for easier cleaning.  I have no scientific basis for my objection.
Call me old fashioned, I would consider it a visual abomination.  It is, of
course, just my opinion. Have at it if you want.

In response to David I., yes I do blacken below the sharp for continuity,
but we are talking about painting the entire key stick white or black.
Maybe the two of you should get together and offer it as a service.  Who
knows, it might catch on.

As far as moisture on the ivories compromising the glue joint, the fact that
you haven't observed problems doesn't exactly constitute proof that the
joint isn't compromised by repeated exposure to moisture.  According to the
guys who used to do all the ivory work, rubbing the key clean is the safest
method.  Repeated exposure to moisture will cause the ivory to to expand and
contract and over time loosen the bond.  In addition, the seam between the
head and the tail is not sealed.  There is no glue there purposefully to
keep the it more invisible.  Moisture can creep into the joint and cause
tenting.  That doesn't mean one exposure will create a problem.  But
repeated exposures over time can.  Do what you want, but those interested in
the potential long term effects should at least be able to make an informed
decision.

David Love

----- Original Message -----
From: "gordon stelter" <lclgcnp@yahoo.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: August 13, 2002 1:36 PM
Subject: Re: Cleaning keys again


Why not lacquer keys? If it holds in the stink
( although I burn pianos that are heavily mouse
infested as they are signifigant health threats )and
makes the keys easy to clean, why not lacquer them?
Please give me a scientific response---- not just
deriding the idea as "too radical"-- as though pianos
are somehow worshippable objects which need to be left
exactly as manufactured!!! Besides, lacquering the
keys cuts down on moisture infusion which, I would
think, will keep them in better regulation, and
prevent sticking key bushings!!! It also seals in the
lead weights, thus preventing small children from
breathing oxidized lead dust ( VERY DANGEROUS!!!)  and
slows future oxidation.
    Pianos are tools to create music, not Gods!  My
customers' health supercedes any piano's imaginary
Inalienable Rights. Mouse crap can make you cough up
blood ( I've been there ) and hope to die! In my 30
years in this business, nothing strikes me as more
inethical,unscrupulous and widespread, than the
practice of refinishing and otherwise cosmetically
spritzing up a filthy piano which can pose a serious
health threat to the unwitting customer once it is in
their home!!!!
     "Do unto others.........."
     I have developed a whole system for sanitizing
pianos and REALLY returning them to "like new" , which
I will share when I have time.
    Oh, and yes, my pianos do sound GREAT when done,
and play well, which is also important.
     Sincerely,
     Gordon Stelter
     P.S. I have also heard that virii in mouse crap
can cause birth defects. Do we want that on our
record?
     <davidlovepianos@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Lacquering the sides of the keys with clear lacquer
> seems a pretty radical
> solution that I would not try or recommend.  Putting
> white or black lacquer
> on the sides key sticks would push me over the edge
> if it were my piano.
>
> David Love
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "gordon stelter" <lclgcnp@yahoo.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: August 13, 2002 11:20 AM
> Subject: Re: Cleaning keys again
>
>
> I use a green "Scotch-Brite" pad and denatured
> alcohol, wearing gloves and a carbon filter mask.
> Then, if the keys still stink, I put a cheap set of
> bushing cauls in the bushing slots, mask off the
> ivories ( 3/4" easy to remove blue tape works great)
> and lacquer them, with either clear or white and
> black
> lacquer. If the piano will be in an institutional
> setting where poorly raised people will not wash
> their
> hands before playing ( should be illegal!) I will
> actually spray the keystick with white epoxy gloss,
> which leaves a nice, smooth finish on the sides, to
> easily wipe clean later ( and fully reveal their
> sins!)
>      Thump
>
>


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