Oxidizing Key Leads...was Decomposing Key Leads

[Anne Acker]

Dear Geoff,

That is lead oxide, a common phenomenon particularly in coastal environments.  

You can absolutely smooth it down, BUT observe great care as you don't want to be spreading lead powder about or breathing it.     Wear a mask and gloves, and be sure you contain the powder you sand off.   You don't need to wire brush it off, just sand it off.

You could certainly try hitting it up with a dab of lacquer.

Anne





From:		"Geoff Sykes" <thetuner at ivories52.com>  [ Save Address ]
Reply-to:		Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
To:		"Pianotech at Ptg. Org" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Subject:		Decomposing key leads
Date:		Sun, 23 Sep 2007 15:25:01 -0700

I know that the subject of decomposing key leads has been brought up here before, but a search of the archives brought up no results.
 
New, 2005 or 2006 Hobart M. Cable upright, (OH-09 A).
 
I noticed on the last tuning of this piano that all the key leads are starting to get covered over with that white fluffy powder that indicates decomposition. My first thought was that the owners of this inexpensive piano would never go for key lead replacement. Besides, it's probably too soon in the process to think in that direction. My next thought was to take all the keys out and soft-wire brush the powder off the ends of the leads and then seal them off with some clear spray paint of some kind. Lacquer, Rust-O-Leum, AquaNet, whatever. Anything to hopefully stall the process. And then I realized that the wiser thing to do would be to bring the subject up here first. So, any thoughts? Any suggestions?
 
-- Geoff Sykes
-- Los Angeles