backchecks

[William R. Monroe]

Actually, I wrote that regarding FELT removal on Uprights, not grand checks.

Good information, otherwise.  Though, if I need to replace leathers, I'm 
with David, that they usually need the wires too, so I replace the check and 
wire.

William R. Monroe




> inre backcheck leather removal, William writes:
>
> <<  The old felts are attached with hide glue (yeah!) and are easily 
> removed
> by saturating (carefully) with a mixture of water and your favorite
> surfactant.  I generally use wallpaper remover, about 10:1 water to 
> remover.  After a
> while (hour, two?) they will basically fall off.  Saturate and wait.  >>
>
> Greetings,
>   I replace a lot of older Steinway leather, and I was taught a different
> approach that has worked well in 99% of all jobs.  Just lift the edge of 
> the
> leather with a knife, making the division right in the glue line, and pull 
> up.
> The leather will tear loose at the glue line, leaving a slightly fuzzy nap 
> on
> the wood, and with a single swipe of a good sharp file, you have a 
> perfectly
> smooth surface that will take the new glue readily.  The work goes quickly 
> and
> very cleanly.
>  There are some vintages, (as in the 60's, where the glue isn't hide, and 
> I
> ain't sure about the "leather") that simply will not tear off, but the 
> pre-war
> pianos are unusally easy to work on.
>
> regards,
>
> Ed Foote RPT