String Storage

[Elian Degen]

Dear Glen and List

Same problem here in Venezuela, not in Caracas ( 2700 feet above sea level
) but in the low regions, it´s tropical climate, 90% humidity and I used to
work in some of those places, A tuner in one of these places had a closet
with a permanent dehumidifier tube installed in it. ( 25watt tube) and
normally sprayed the coils with a very light oil, similar to the sewing
machines oil. Brand name 3 in one manufactured buy Boyle and Midway in
spray can. It is light and doesn´t live residue, Before installing he would
wipe it thoroughly with a dry cloth. It seems to work fine, and he had
ciols stored for several years, in very good shape

Hope it helps

Elian Degen      degen@telcel.net.ve
Piano Tuner and Tech, Caracas, Venezuela


----------
> From: Glen_Deligdisch@sil.org
> To: Pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: String Storage
> Date: Sábado 7 de Junio de 1997 21:00
> 
>      June 7, 1997
>      
>      Dear List,
>      
>      I am trying to figure out a good way to store my coils of piano wire

>      so that they don't rust before I can use them.  I will be taking my 
>      coils back with me to the Philippines where temperatures in hot
season 
>      climb to 105 deg F and humidity floats at 90% and up.  This is the 
>      environment I am concerned about.  Untreated steel takes very little

>      time to begin rusting there.  Exposed mechanical parts there are 
>      generally sealed up in a product called "Soft-seal" or a thick
grease 
>      which are both easily cleaned off with solvent.
>      
>      A couple options that I have are:
>      
>      1.  A hot box where moisture is kept out with heat.  This is not
fool 
>      proof as camera lenses still tend to mold.
>      
>      2.  Pack the coils with desiccant in an air tight container.
>      
>      3.  Store the coils in oil and clean the wire off at time of 
>      installation.  If stored in oil I wonder what would be a good final 
>      cleaning solution?  Something that would not leave a residue behind 
>      that might accelerate corrosion?
>      
>      4.  Store them in our air-conditioned archive room.  Only problem 
>      being, the strings will sweat profusely when brought out into the
hot 
>      humid air.
>      
>      These are a few ideas I am wrestling with.  Do any of you others
have 
>      ideas?
>      
>      Do any of you ever oil strings lightly to keep them from rusting (in

>      the piano)?  I realize that it would be impossible to get to all
parts 
>      of the string span, but some might be better perhaps than none?  I
am 
>      working on encouraging the owners to install damp chasers but not 
>      everyone will be convinced or willing.
>      
>      Thanks for your thoughts,
>      
>      Glen
>      
>      ---------------------------------------------------------------
>      
>      Glen and Ruth Deligdisch
>      P.O. Box 248
>      Waxhaw, NC  28173
>      
>      Tel:  (704) 843-6047
>      
>      E-mail:  Glen_Deligdisch@SIL.ORG
>