Acetic Acid - Use in pianos????

[Ed Guerra]

The only thing I can think of is to soften glue collars on hammers when the
heads are loose.  You can use vinegar for the same thing.  

Get rid of it. 



At 03:25 PM 4/23/98 -0700, you wrote:
>Question for all you chemical wizards out there.
>
>When I enherited this position at the university, along with other
>"interesting" disoveries I found a huge jar of "Acetic Acid" among the
>piano supplies; approximately half of a large one-gallon glass bottle.
>Apparently the former and now long-gone retired tech used it for
>"something" relating to pianos. For disolving glue perhaps???  Anyway,
>reading the warnings on the label in conjunction with the skull and
>cross-bones, I began to wonder what possible use one could have in piano
>technology for this stuff. 
>
>I did a quick internet search and found a WEB page that discribes all
>kinds of data, including it's highly corrosive effects on metal and
>organic material. It also mentions using gloves and a resporater when
>handling it. See the following if you must:
>http://ntp-db.niehs.nih.gov/NTP_Reports/NTP_Chem_H&S/NTP_Chem6/Radian64-19-
7.txt
>
>Anyway, I was about to call the chemistry department and see if I could
>find a grad student who wouldn't mind coming over and getting this stuff
>the hell out of here before the damn bottle got broken. (I opened the
>top and the fumes nearly knocked me to the floor). But then I thought
>perhaps there might be some kind of legitimate use that I am
>overlooking? I can't imagine what, but the former tech MUST have been
>using it for something. (I can think of a few pianos I'd like to dunk
>into it). Anyway, does anyone have a clue what one would want to do with
>this relating to pianos, or should I get it out of here quick?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Rob Goodale, RPT
>Northern Arizona U.
>Flagstaff, AZ
>
Ed Guerra
edguerra@mail.utexas.edu
Austin, TX