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<DIV><EM>"So if these leads are oxidizing in just a few years, then
wouldn't new leads do the same thing in a couple of years,
considering where the piano is located?"</EM></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>My limited understanding of the expanding lead phenomena is
that it is caused by contaminants in the lead - rather than by the environment.
Presumably the contaminated lead will deteriorate anywhere. Heck, the lead in my
scuba-diving belt is not corroded and it certainly gets exposed to a rough
environment!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>I have not experienced anything that would contradict the lead
contaminant theory, and all my observations support it - although I don't have
proof of it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>One way to be sure would be to clean several of the powdering
leads off, set a few new leads adjacent to the keys on the keybed somewhere and
observe them for a one or more years. If the original leads continue to powder
and the new leads remain clean - seems the problem source is in the lead itself
- not the environment.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>I see oodles of pianos in Florida that are exposed to harsh
environmental conditions for many decades and show no sign of lead
degradation.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><FONT
id=role_document face=Arial color=#000000 size=2><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 size=2><FONT
face=Tahoma>In this particular case the suggestions of some to coat the
exterior of the leads may indeed reduce exposure chance. Also, if there is any
worry about it, David Love's suggestion to just replace the leads and be done
with it is certainly a valid solution - perhaps the best - it is really not a
major job.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Tahoma>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>I also didn't realize this was happening on a piano that is only a few
years old. So if these leads are oxidizing in just a few years, then
wouldn't new leads do the same thing in a couple of years,
considering where the piano is located? I agree with Terry that
there will be very little chance of lead powder being a hazard, that is
why covering the leads with shellac or lacquer will still be the best
solution.
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 PTSIZE="10" FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Willem
(Wim) Blees, RPT</FONT></DIV></DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>