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[Billbrpt@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 10/31/00 9:53:50 PM Central Standard Time, 
kam544@flash.net writes:

<< You can dilute a pre-mixed bottle to much lesser strengths allowing you to
 experiment on the safe side.  Keep in mind, it's always a judgement call to
 determine what strength to use, how much to apply, and where to apply it.
  >>

As with regulation, I almost never *measure* anything.  Think of hammer 
hardener the way you would finishing material.  Two or more applications of a 
very thin mix often works better than one thick, "gloppy" mix.  I judge my 
hardener strength by the way the white plastic colors the acetone.  If you 
can barely see any white color, you have an ultra-light mix.  If it looks 
like whole milk, it's very heavy.

I usually use a light mix that looks about like whey or the way skim milk 
would look if you cut it 50% with water.  (Of course, I live in the Dairy 
State and see these kinds of things).  The usual recommendation I see of 1 
keytop to 8 oz. of acetone will be on the fairly heavy side.  Better to cut 
it.

The truly successful hardening job occurs when you've only spent maybe 15-20 
minutes total time applying several coats of very light hardener as needed 
(but have let it dry in between while doing other things).  If you have 
brought the soft hammers just up to where they sound good but don't need any 
needling, you have used just the right concentrations.  You can use a high 
wattage hair dryer to speed things along if you need to but don't do that in 
a vertical with the action in.  You'll throw the piano way out of tune.

Some of the voicing jobs I have received the highest compliments and praise 
for changing the sound so radically but in a pleasing and satisfying way have 
used very little of my time.

Bill Bremmer RPT
Madison, Wisconsin