[pianotech] buffing ivory

[Douglas Gregg]

It is best to use a buffing wheel that is very soft. That is one with
very little stitching to hold it together. The more stitching, the
more aggressive the wheel will be. It is also a good idea to use a
small wheel if you have a 3600 RPM motor. That keeps the cutting down
since the speed at the periphery of the wheel is slower. I would
rather use a 1750 RPM motor that you can get from any old washing
machine and put an arbor on the shaft to take a buffing wheel.

That said, I have found that using White Diamond  polishing compound
works as well as any wheel and is much safer and easier. You don't
even have to take the keys off the piano. It is also the best brass
polish I have ever found. I have tried them all. It is very fast
working and requires minimum effort.  It is made by a small company in
Boone, Iowa. I have submitted it for a TT&T but have not seen it in
print yet.
www.whitediamondamerica.com

Doug Gregg
Classic Piano Doc