<html> <body> George, Sorry, no way to fix this permanently without pinning. - Safest: replace the affected parts with new.  Clean the birds-eye area with naptha and put new flanges on.  This should be permanent. - Alternate: Unpin the parts, wash the butts and the flanges with dry cleaning solution, blow with air compressor, and repin.  About a 75%  chance the problem will recur. - If you want to get the piano working and don't care about your reputation, pull the action and use dry cleaning solution while still assembled, then lube with silicone and naptha.  You may still have to repin some of the parts, as some will most likely still be tight in the end. It should work for a while, but there is a 99% chance the sluggishness will recur within a year or so. - If you don't care about the piano OR your reputation, apply generous quantities of naptha and then apply a lit match. ;-) - just kidding! Recommendation: Let the customer know the estimate for replacing the flanges, and if they can't handle the price, politely decline to do a temporary repair for your reputation's sake.  If you agree to do a temporary repair, make note of this on your invoice and have the customer sign your copy.  You also have my permission to recommend that they buy a nice new Kawai piano as well :-) Don Mannino RPT (Kawai America Employee) </body> </html>