The other day, after having a wound bi-chord string break during a 25c pitch raise, I touched the V-bar with some Protek for other strings that looked a little rusty.  I did my best to prevent creep into the windings, but hey, who knows what might happen, microscopically and/or over time.  I'm thinking maybe it's a good idea to carry a brass brush (another ~50grams!?!?) with me for these pianos. Would it be ideal or necessary to lower tension on the string before brushing the V-bar?  If so, should they be so loose as to move freely side-to-side? (I'm thinking primarily bass strings.) Loosen a half-dozen at a time, brush, PR, lather, rinse, repeat?? Brush parallel to the strings, or parallel to the V-bar? Take precautions to keep rusty dust from contaminating the windings?? Thanks, Paul Bruesch Stillwater, MN <div class="gmail_quote">On Feb 17, 2008 8:29 AM, tom <<a href="mailto:tomtuner@verizon.net">tomtuner@verizon.net</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> <div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-US"> <div>      Lose the WD 40 and go to protek (IMO).Just don't let any lube of any kind migrate to the windings.      Actually I would clean off the plate contact point with a brass brush and forget the lube .By the time rust becomes a factor on a new string I'll be dead anyway.   I regularly use protek on the plain wire plate bearing points especially during pitch raises but you can kill a wound string with any contamination. Best wishes,       Tom Driscoll </div> </div> </blockquote></div>