[CAUT] Cleaning solution

[Alan McCoy]

Hi Jim,

Vinegar and water is a very able yet mild solvent. Thin cotton - like an old
T-shirt - for application. Active ingredient in vinegar is acetic acid. Will
cut finger oils. Hasn't attacked finishes I 've used it on. Great for keytop
gunk.

Alan 


> From: Jim Busby <jim_busby at byu.edu>
> Reply-To: "College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>" <caut at ptg.org>
> Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:06:21 -0600
> To: "College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>" <caut at ptg.org>
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Cleaning solution
> 
> Gerry,
> 
> Good post.
> 
> So here is what I'm finding out, so far;
> 
> 
> 1.       Simple Green and Murphy's Soap seem to be safe for anything.
> 
> 2.       Alcohol, ammonia, windex, may hurt some finishes.
> 
> 3.       Cory products may be good (A refinisher here told me NO on these due
> to buildup.
> 
> 4.       Microfiber High Performance Polishing cloth? (Sounds good. Got to get
> me one)
> 
> Anything else?
> 
> Jim
> 
> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of G
> Cousins
> Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 10:18 AM
> To: CAUT
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Cleaning solution
> 
> Mike,
> I did a bunch of work and piano surface cleaning & maintenance formulations
> many years ago so here's my 2c.
> 
> Do Not use ANY ammonia formulas on any high gloss finishes. Many of the Windex
> formulas and almost of the off label brands contain ammonia in the formula. It
> does dull the high gloss finish.
> 
> For basic cleanings just use water. IF there are fingerprints, oils or
> derrivatives, use any neutral cleaning agent.  Eg: Simple Green at appropriate
> dilution. You can also use the Cory Care products. He does have ok formulas
> although the pricing may impinge on the school budget.
> With any water based elixers always use the minimum, think moist rather than
> wet amount on a cheese cloth material. Cotton cloths ( towles, t-shirts etc.
> are made to absorb. They waste alot of fluids by wicking up the fluid into the
> cloth rather than holding/carrying the fluid to allow spreading onto the
> surface to be treated.  Paper products are wood based and always cause
> scratching of some sort.
> 
> Hopefully this is not newsworthy but figured I'd mention it anyway.
> Nitro/Satin finishes on SS are harmed by certain chemicals, thinners, alcohols
> etc. so a BIG word of caution and stay away.
> 
> Back to the trenches.  =)
> Gerry
> 
> ________________________________
> To: caut at ptg.org
> From: pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu
> Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:08:46 -0500
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Cleaning solution
> 
> 
> Seems to work for Oberlin.  Although I think all their Steinways are satin.  I
> haven't tried it.
> 
> They do have one or two Hamburgs.  I can ask Robert how they treat them.
> Maybe just a damp cloth followed by a dry one.  That's what I would do on a
> high gloss.
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
> "Mike Kurta" <mkurta1 at comcast.net>
> Sent by: caut-bounces at ptg.org 04/27/2009 10:02 AM
> Please respond to
> caut at ptg.org
> 
> 
> To
> 
> <caut at ptg.org>
> 
> cc
> 
> Subject
> 
> Re: [CAUT] Cleaning solution
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Oh Oh, I've heard that ammonia will cloud hi-gloss finishes, the same with
> Windex.  Don't know if this is reliable info or not......
>     Mike Kurta, RPT