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<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=3>You could keep the tank full, by
purchasing, a 12V unit for blowing up your tires. Have it connected between
jobs.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=3>Some service stations would even let you
refill the tank.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>John M. Ross<BR>Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.<BR><A
href="mailto:jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca">jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca</A></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=bng0809@msn.com href="mailto:bng0809@msn.com">BRIAN GRIST</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A title=bng0809@msn.com
href="mailto:bng0809@msn.com">bng0809@msn.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, June 29, 2006 2:30
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re; soundboard cleaning the easy
way (Brian Grist)</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><!--[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>
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