<HTML>Thanks to eve= ryone who has responded.  Lots of good insight. Steam is definitely out. The acetone wash seems like a good short-term fix, but I don't really li= ke using the stuff.  I once used it to clean my bicycle chain.  Th= e chain fell apart bit by bit shortly afterward.  I've been wary of it = ever since. I will try some traditional needling to see if I get any response. &nbsp= ;If that fails, I will bring up the possibility of the wash, but unless ther= e's a whole lot of felt left on the old ones, I'll recommend that she get a = new set of hammers.   Thanks again to all who responded.  I'll see the piano tomorrow, an= d will give a follow-up report in the next few days. Dave S. </HTML>