<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"> <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-AU link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=WordSection1> Hi David,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I would think a leather reviver as in this English site shows. Something that you can spray on and say the work of taking them off. http://www.desolvitshop.co.uk/acatalog/Leather_Reviver.html<o:p></o:p> I have used a thinned down lanolin, tipped an action on its end and dripper the solution down the lift rod. Worked for six years that I knew the piano, after that ??<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> You know lanolin, of the sheep’s back.  Haven’t tried Rhum so can’t comment<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Tony<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> Tony Caught<o:p></o:p> acaught@internode.on.net<o:p></o:p> 0427 850 737<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Boyce Sent: Wednesday, 20 July 2011 11:05 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Damper tail leathers - cleaning and lubricating?<o:p></o:p> </div> </div> <o:p> </o:p> Thanks for those observations Tony. Do you recommend Rum for cleaning the leather then?? I agree of course that the ultimate solution would be nice new leather (or cloth). As a first-line approach, though, I would like to try and clean up what's there to see if I can get it to work silently. What kind of "Restorer spray" do you think would be good, and with what should I clean the leathers before applying it? Even if Rum doesn't clean the leathers, after 5 Rums, one might feel more mellow about the "creaking".  Mind you, the piano is play by my friends' son who in only 17, so I can't feel that it's a sound recommendation for him..... Best regards, David. P.S. The damper tails are of that nice kind that incorporate a grub screw under the leather for fine adjustment in addition to bending the spoons. <o:p></o:p> WD 40 always.<o:p></o:p> Just Kidding<o:p></o:p> This is about the worst thingey to do.<o:p></o:p> The leathers are dry and I guess that some leather restorer spray may do the job in the short term, but replacing the tails with a good felt or leather is the right answer. That is of course if the damper lift rod in the action (the piece that lifts the dampers) is in good condition.  Maybe you should remove same and make sure that the surface is not rough or otherwise imparts friction onto the leathers causing the leathers to squeek. Woops you did this so I guess that the leathers are grunged to.  Not to mention the screws holding the parts together. If loose they may also cause a creek. Then again, this could also be caused by, hey I’m on my 5th rum for the night so I have now got to dispute with myself wether to send this or not.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Tony<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>