String bearing point lubrication

[Geoff Sykes]

Mark --

This is a great suggestion. I like the tweezers idea. 

OK, so now to divert just a little. What's the difference between Prolube,
(made by ProTek), and just plain ol' Protek? I've been using Prolube for
things like string bearing points, and Protek for things like a quick and
dirty easing of too tight flange bushings. Does it matter?

-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles



-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Mark Schecter
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 9:10 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: String bearing point lubrication


Hi, Geoff.

I take a little 3/4" or 1" square of back rail felt and hold it in a 
pair of long tweezers - I've been using the same piece for years. I then 
squeeze a few drops of ProTek (not Prolube) and spread it where I want 
it, including the places you mention. It's thinner than Prolube, and as 
soon as the solvents evaporate, it's dry.

-Mark

Geoff Sykes wrote:
> Greetings all --
>  
> I have had good success with using ProLube to lubricate the string 
> bearing points in older and/or rusty pianos. Any opportunity to reduce 
> the risk of string breakage is alright with me. Since I don't want any 
> of it to contaminate other parts of the piano I don't actually spray 
> it, but have instead been using a cotton swap to apply it. I'm writing 
> today because there just has to be a better way. Especially when you 
> want to get some onto those contact points behind the pressure bar on 
> a small upright. Any suggestions?
>  
> -- Geoff Sykes
> -- Assoc. Los Angeles