[pianotech] Clunky Noises

[David Nereson]

Wow, yes!  This is probably the cheapest, quickest thing to try 
first.  And I have a steamer with a narrow, strong blast.
    --David Nereson, RPT

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Douglas Gregg" <classicpianodoc at gmail.com>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 6:42 PM
Subject: [pianotech] Clunky Noises


> Here is a simple and usually successful way to return old felt 
> to its
> original volume. Use a high pressure steamer like the 
> household
> McCulloch steamer that puts out a stream of steam about 2 feet 
> long.
> Lay the action on a table and apply the steam up close to the 
> felt on
> the bottom of the stickers. It will swell immediately.  Let it 
> dry
> overnight. The felt will  swell to near original thickness 
> especially
> on such a part as those that  do not get worn away. Let it dry
> overnight and put the action back it. It works very well on 
> hammer
> rest rail felt too.
>
> I use it for voicing also. I was showing a renovated piano to 
> a
> customer two days ago. She liked it but it was too bright. I 
> told her
> to go try some of the other pianos for a few minutes and I 
> would take
> care of it. It took about 3 minutes to warm up the steamer and 
> about
> 30 seconds to run it across the contact points of all the 
> hammers. She
> came back in a few minutes, tried it, and bought it on the 
> spot. The
> voicing lasts too.
>
> Doug Gregg
> Classic Piano Doc
>