[CAUT] VS Profelt

[Dan Reed]

Fred,

I second the vote for lubricating key bushings with Teflon. The gunk 
that seems to find its way onto finished front and center rail pins, 
weather from a chemical in the cloth, or from the pins reaction to 
atmosphere, can cause a nasty drag...slowing up and down travel of the 
key, and making a glissando flesh eating to the finger tops.

The powered Teflon coats this film, and seems to be long lasting.

Simple...easy....and it works.

Dan
On Nov 6, 2008, at 4:37 PM, Fred Sturm wrote:

>         A couple words of caution might be in order. This is not a 
> "magic formula." The swelling of the felt ("re-fluffing" it) is due to 
> the action of water content in the formula. The alcohol in the formula 
> helps the water penetrate. In use for action centers, this is 
> precisely the same as using a formula of water and alcohol, except 
> that we don't know the proportions in VS Profelt (and the Profelt has 
> some lubrication function - but the bigger result will be due to 
> "shrinking of felt" as in simply applying a formula of alcohol and 
> water).
>       This is not meant to discourage the use of Profelt, simply to 
> urge that it be used "with eyes wide open." I do realize that it is 
> different from just alcohol and water in that it has a lubricant, and 
> apparently some kind of conditioner. Silicone lubricant is probably 
> effective and probably has no negative side effects in this 
> application. Whatever may be used as a conditioner may possibly have 
> side effects in some situations.
>       Re-swelling of felt in itself is a reversal of the packing due 
> to wear. However, it can be overdone. Felted cloths, especially 
> bushing cloth, have been made dense with considerable trouble, 
> processing including heat and pressure. It is quite possible to 
> "over-reverse" and end up with a felt that is less dense than it was 
> originally. Using cauls for key bushings is a somewhat effective way 
> of preventing this. For wippen cushions and the like, cauls aren't an 
> option. 
>   Personally, I find the use of heat and pressure (a clothes iron or 
> heated cauls) is a good way to try to keep the felt in a firmly packed 
> condition (which means the regulation will be more stable). 
>    One thing that re-swelling felt doesn't do is reverse wear. Fibers 
> that have been broken down and worn away are gone. Lubrication of new 
> materials and parts is the best way to have long lasting parts. In 
> fact, that is one of the claims of VS Profelt: use it on new felt so 
> that its lubrication properties will prolong life and improve 
> function. It may be effective in that way. I will find out when I try 
> some. Meanwhile, I put my money on powdered teflon and other, more 
> concentrated lubricants.
> Regards,
> Fred Sturm
> University of New Mexico
> fssturm at unm.edu
>
>
>
> On Nov 6, 2008, at 3:17 PM, Paul T Williams wrote:
>
>> Hi Barbara, 
>>
>> I would also like to know about VSP for center pin bushings!  I have 
>> only used it for key bushings and wip cushions.  Didn't do quite as 
>> good a job on the wip cushions, but did help...the cushions were 
>> really old and badly dented.  Probably should have replaced, but...ya 
>> know...budget stuff. 
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