<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content=text/html;charset=iso-8859-1>
<STYLE></STYLE>
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2912" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY id=MailContainerBody
style="PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; PADDING-TOP: 15px; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; TEXT-DECORATION: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none"
leftMargin=0 topMargin=0 acc_role="text" CanvasTabStop="true"
name="Compose message area"><!--[gte IE 5]><?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> I read the header, thinking maybe someone had really come up
with an easy way to clean soundboards. Generally, I still use the steel "wand"
with one of the newer micro-fiber rags attached. I fix a vacuum cleaner nozzle
towards the 'receiving end' of the pushed dust and debris. No magic and
certainly not easy. I have always left the soundboard improved, but also have
never achieved what I consider stellar (like new) results. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Being with vast computer experience; particularly with a
variety of "technician in a can" solutions; I would suggest one must know that
the warnings on the canisters of 'keyboard cleaner' or the like
are absolutely correct. Frost indeed forms around the nozzle of
these accelerants and should not be held close; as in targeting a particular
dust bunny or specific accumulation; particularly close to strings or
directly at the cap of the bridge. Rather, these propellants should be used much
as an air wand; used to generally push the build-up of dust in a direction,
thus allowing one to clear the strings and then remove the debris from the edge
of the soundboard. Technically, if you were to hold a thermometer in the stream
of propellant, I am sure you would find a significant decrease in its cooling
effect on the ambient temperature the further you move from the nozzle (or that
elusive red tube that directs the spray). </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> This is a wonderful subject and deserves lots
of discussion from my perspective. My cumbersome technique for removing
copious quantities of dust (where the dust bunnies have names) on neglected
pianos involves using a 'charged' 5-gallon compressed air tank or compressed air
supply with a high quality regulated wand. To complement this burdensome
system, I place a quality vacuum hose at the receiving end so as to capture the
dust as it travels towards the vacuum nozzle. I vastly improved the look of all
three horribly dirty pianos this system was used on, but it is hardly suitable
for routine or marginally dirty soundboards and requires at least an hour to
assemble the equipment, perform the task and then remove the equipment.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> The weakness of my system, aside from the sheer amount of
stuff you have to haul around, is that the 5-gallon tank doesn't have
enough capacity to direct the debris for very long before exhausting its charge
of compressed air. I have only used this 'system' on three severely dirty
pianos; still finished with the steel wand and micro-fiber rag and also vacuumed
around the immediate vicinity of the piano to capture some residual dust that
got on the carpet. The results markedly improved the look of the
soundboard; such that decals could be read and appreciated, but took over one
hour to complete the "blow and go." All three were also 'showpiece'
quality historic pianos that I also ended up cleaning, repairing and even
polishing their cases to achieve the customers' objectives.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> In other words; in no way am I recommending my system and
would suggest that two modern, high powered portable vacuums with both
directed exhaust and powerful vacuum capabilities would do as well or better;
but my objective is no less than to entice that technician who has held
some great secret close to their chest and is just chomping at the bit to
finally reveal a tried and true technique that achieves marvelous soundboard
cleaning results in less than an hour to come forth. I have cast the bait and am
trolling for additional wisdom in this area of our craft.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Brian Grist <A title=mailto:bng0809@msn.com
href="mailto:bng0809@msn.com">bng0809@msn.com</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></BODY></HTML>