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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Shawn-</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It's not easy to remove the top part of one piece
tops without shattering the front part. It needs to be done with some kind of
dangerous power tool. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>On the other hand, gentle heat and prying with a
thin knife will probably remove the whole top. It will take a while, and be
careful not to split the wood. Maybe....just maybe...you could slice across
under the front lip with a razor saw, then remove the top with heat and leave
the front in place.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>PVC-E (Sobo glue) is very effective in gluing down
plastic keytops. It seems to pull down the keytop about a minute after you put
the key and top together ("self-clamping") It also wipes away easily with
a damp rag when wet, and fairly easily with alcohol after drying. Put the key
top on and rub and press to get the glue to hold. Align it carefully, set it
down, and check the alignment again in a minute, because sometimes the keytop
travels a little as it settles in.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ed Sutton</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></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=shawnbrock@fuse.net href="mailto:shawnbrock@fuse.net">Shawn Brock</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, June 21, 2008 12:17
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Removing old keytops</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>List,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have a Kawai U S T 5 which was given to
me. Problems include, broken sustain peddle, finish damage and chipped
keytops. This is a piano that I will probably turn in to a
rental... So the object here is to make more money than you
spend... Given this fact, I am going to replace the keytops
myself. These are one peace top and front. Anyone want to share
ideas for removing them? I can easily get them off from the back, it
almost looks like they are not glued down in the back. Taking this
approach though causes them to snap in the middle. I usually farm out my
keytop business but this just seems to not be worth it... So, back to
the subject at hand... Should I heat them? Or is it better to just
chip away at them. The ones I have removed seem to come off easily, but
I wonder if a little heat will make it easier still! Question 2:
Do you think I should go with the one peace tops and fronts? I will say,
that I hate the one peace top and front but... Its what was on the
piano. Oh, and yes I'm sure the same thing will happen at some
point. They will chip or start to come off, but this is not a piano
that's mint to last a lifetime. I have a feeling they would have lasted
longer, but it looks like the piano might have been abused heavily.
Regards</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Shawn Brock,
RPT</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>