[pianotech] Wiping Rusty Strings with Oil

[Tom Driscoll]

Greg,
 Bad not good.String breakage during tuning will almost always occur at the tuning pin so oiling strings will do nothing put give dirt something to latch on to and create a yucky mess -- and ANY lube on a tuning pin could migrate to the block. Big no on that one !
Protek is my lube of choice on pressure ,V and  Capo bars and agraffes. I keep away from bass string windings with the stuff but some time ago one of our colleagues mentioned an experiment in applying protek directly to the windings to improve tone. I don't remember where that thread went . Anyone ? I think it was suggested by one of our European friends.
 My opinions here :     Oil = bad . Graphite in any form =  bad  .    Protek, Goose Juice ,V.J lube , teflon powder ,McLube and maybe some others that escape me =Good
Hope to see you at the next meeting @ M and H.
Best wishes,
 Tom Driscoll 
               
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Greg Livingston 
  To: Pianotech list 
  Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 11:17 PM
  Subject: [pianotech] Wiping Rusty Strings with Oil


  Dear Friends,


  Today I tuned a 1920's grand with really rusty strings.  Not wanting to add to my troubles, I put a dab of 3 in 1 Oil at each becket and on either side of every agraffe with a Q tip.  The piano was very sharp, and I break far fewer strings lowering the pitch compared to raising the pitch.  Do you do this?  I read once that you should put Liquid Wrench with a pipe cleaner at every becket, but I did that once and the whole house stunk for hours. Ergo, the Three In One.  


  Also, for really rusted strings in a grand, have you ever wiped all the strings with an oily rag, just to reduce the chances of a broken string?  It seems like a good idea but I await the judgement of my colleagues.


  Thanks,
  Greg Livingston

  ___________________________________________________ 
  Gregory P. Livingston, Piano Tuning and Service 781-237-9178 
  Piano Technicians Guild, associate member (Boston chapter) 
  Website-   http://greglivingston.weebly.com




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