<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Verdigris fix </TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> Dale and list, Several years ago,  a  tech from a neighboring chapter suggested = 'Kutzit' ( as in stripper) as a possible treatment  in treating vertigr= is.  I have used it on several nasty vertigris Steinways,  grands = and verticals, and I am completly satisfied with the results.    I would not suggest that a tech use it, unless they have= had some experience with conventional methods of treating sluggish flanges.=  IMHO, it should be reserved for vertigris  only, and then after = all other avenues have been considered, and rejected. (As in replacment of p= arts)      A disgruntled customer, or a  technicia= n looking for a reason to prove once and for all, that your an oaff, could m= ake one's life a bit unpleasent, for using this unconventional treatment.<BR= > Here is how I proceed.... #1 I use the 1875 watt hair dryer to bake out the H2O from the flanges and bus= hing cloth, which has been trapped by the vertigris, or trapped by other &qu= ot;treatments" (oils etc).  I would not suggest a heat gun. This c= ould damage the bushing.     The moisture can be seen coming to the surface of = the flanges. Fry until dry.  At this point, the flanges should be 'free= '. (If left alone, at this point,  the sluggishness will return) #2 When you are satisfied that the H2O level has been reduced enough, ( in th= at they are free) and while the flanges are still hot, I apply the lovely bl= ue fluid, with an eye dropper. #3 The next step is to break up the corrosion, by applying pressure to the fla= nges,  in each of the four directions,  while moving the parts. (F= or example, holding a handfull of hammers, and while pushing them through th= eir arc, press gently to the left...right....pull up...push down) #4 Let them alone for a day or two. If they are good enough, friction wise, I = then treat the flanges with silicone / naptha.  The silicone chases the= H2O, and keeps it from comming back. Dan Reed Dallas, Texas on 10/4/01 10:22 PM, BEATRIX ERWIN at erwinpiano@msn.com wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>List  I still say that  mineral oil or silicone won't cure verdigris.= I've tried the silicone and toluene as Yamaha directs and it works in some = sluggish flange cases  but is also only a temporary fix for verdigris. =  The mineral oil I've not tried. How bout some feedback from you all wi= th extensive experience with it. Be specific.  I'm still waiting for the feedback from Dan Reeds post last week Best- Dale Erwin <BLOCKQUOTE> ----- Original Message ----- From: Allan L. Gilreath, RPT Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 7:20 AM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: RE: naphtha + mineral oil Terry, The original research found this to work better at a concentration of 8 parts naphtha to 1 part silicone.  There are other variables that you = can get into but I've been working with a chemist on some of these particulars.= But maybe I can play with that more after next summer. Allan -----Original Message----- From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf Of pianolover 88 Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2001 1:16 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: naptha + mineral oil I'm waiting for my order of 100% Silicone Liquid, from Baldwin. This will b= e my substitute for the outrageously priced Protek! This is cut 20/1 naptha/silicone. Terry Peterson Precision Piano Service Torrance, CA >From: "Howard S. Rosen" <hsrosen@earthlink.net> >Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org >To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> >Subject: naptha + mineral oil >Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2001 12:53:14 -0400 > > >Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2001 07:40:29 -0400 >From: "Phil Bondi" <tito@PhilBondi.com> >Subject: Re: naphtha + mineral oil > > >     A number of years ago, I worked in a pian= o shop where the we used a > > mixture of mineral oil and naphtha to lubricate sluggish flanges.=  What >is > > anyone's opinion on this? > > Gary McCormick > > >..I'm really glad someone else mention this before me..yes..I use this,= and >it works just fine...4 parts naphtha-1 part Mineral oil. > >whew, >roo(k) >___________________________________ > >I agree with the roo(k). I've used this for 30 years with great results= and >no adverse effects. However, my formula is 8 parts naphtha to 1 part<BR= > >mineral >oil. My feeling is that 4 to 1 might be too oily and might gum things u= p. I >don't know for sure...just a gut feeling. > >With all the praises for Proteck, I too never felt that it worked any<B= R> >better >than my formula above. Amazing, isn't it, how we techs differ in our id= eas, >approaches, opinions,methods etc. ? > >Howard S. Rosen, RPT >7262 Angel Falls Ct. >Boynton Beach, FL  33437 > >561-737-2057 >hsrosen@earthlink.net > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp<= BR> </BLOCKQUOTE> </BLOCKQUOTE> </BODY> </HTML>