Dear Friends at Pianotech, Here is another beginning tech question from an Associate! If one was to attempt to clean the rust off of the strings in a piano, is there a preference as to whether polita steel polish or sandpaper should be used? ( I have misplaced my polita, and I was debating the efficacy of using 400 grit sandpaper as a substitute.) Perhaps someone who has a high powered microscope handy could answer this question, but does either polita or sandpaper leave scratches on the wire surface or weaken or damage the wire? Also, is there a rust inhibitor that may be safely used to coat the strings as a protectant after such a rust removing procedure is carried out? Would Protek, or petroleum jelly or any other substance be used for this purpose? Other than improving the looks of the piano, are there other reasons (improved tone, improved tuning ability) one would remove rust from the strings? What benefits would my customer derive from having the strings polished? Thanks for your help with my questions! David A. Vanderhoofven davander@aol.com Joplin, MO Associate Member, Kansas City Chapter PTG
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