Institutional Piano Case Cleaning

Clark A. Foerster clark@thegrid.net
Tue Dec 9 15:02 MST 1997


To my contract this year has been added cleaning the outside cases of
about 75 upright and grand pianos (which appear never to have been
cleaned).  I am trying to figure the most expeditious and inexpensive
way to complete the job.  My thoughts on the subject are as follows:

For lacquer, shellac, varnish finished pianos:

2 buckets with locking lids: one filled with Murfy's oil soap (perhaps
some VM&P naptha on the side to remove hard to remove wax and oils?);
the other filled with fresh water.  Sponges (and perhaps a soft bristle
brush?) in each bucket to keep runoff to a minimum.

One set of cotton diapers to do a final dry off of the fresh water.

a couple different oil based polishes (like a lemon oil), each with a
different analine dye colored tint to color scratches and dings a bit.

Another set of cotton diapers to do the final rubbing of the oil polish.

I don't have any polyester finished pianos.

Any thoughts, improvements on what I have described?

One thing I would like to try instead of using cotton cloth is paper
towels.  They would be less expensive and throw-away.

Clark Foerster, RPT
clark@thegrid.net


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