Brass finishing

[Greg Newell]

Tom and list,
    I just heard from a college in Alabama who mentioned that he used this same
solution on grand damper wires to remove the grunge. Anyone else heard of this?

Greg

Tom Servinsky wrote:

> Hi Wim,
>   We have been using an acid wash for sometime and have found this to be the
> best and safest way to clean brass.
> We use a pre-packaged formula sold as a tile & porcelain cleaner.  The
> active ingredient is Hydrochloric acid.
> Simply soak the hinges in this for a few minutes and presto...clean.
> We then follow that up with a citrus  clean/polisher which neutralizes the
> acid. Otherwise the acid will continue to eat away. Water also will
> neutralize the acid. Next wipe with a clean cloth and you are done..except
> for the clear lacquer coating.
> Long lid hinges are a breeze with this stuff, as with other delicate brass
> parts.  This beats getting on your hands and knees looking for the small
> hinge which just thrown from the buffing wheel to the other end of your
> shop.
> This concept originated from James Reeder's shop which uses a similar
> solution sold as "clock cleaner". It basically does the same thing.
> We have dramatically reduce all of our buffing time down to a small
> percentage of work.
> Give a try.
> Tom Servinsky, RPT
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Wimblees@AOL.COM>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 3:21 PM
> Subject: Re: Brass finishing
>
> > In a message dated 6/12/01 9:31:21 AM Central Daylight Time,
> > rinkyd@pacbell.net writes:
> >
> > << How do you go about cleaning, polishing and finishing brass hinges?
> >  Thanks
> >
> >  Phil Frankenberg
> >  Chico Ca.
> >   >>
> > Find a good plater, and pay them to do the work. Be sure to get it
> laquered.
> >
> > Willem

--
Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Forté
12970 Harlon Ave.
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
216-226-3791
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net