String Storage

[Mike Imbler]

Glen - I think your idea of an airtight container with dessicant inside is
best.  That is the method jet engine manufacturers use to protect the
internals of their million dollar engines.  The dessicant is renewable by
low heat baking in your oven, so it is an inexpensive solution as well.  The
oil would work and is removable with many commercial solvents, but obviously
would not be a good idea for wound strings.  It would be a hassle even for
plain wire.
                                     Regards,  Mike (not a piano tech!)
At 01:32 AM 6/8/97 +0000, you wrote:
>     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
>
>
>