Brass finishing

[Tom Servinsky]

Greg,
With regards to the damper wires...
it depends on the material of damper wire. I never have analyzed the makeup
of damper wire but I assume it's a soft metal and not brass.  Remember the
acid will be counter-productive with materials outside of brass and copper.
But you know what, I'm going to give a test tonight on the damper wires and
report back tomorrow my findings.
Oh one more thing...use gloves.
Tom Servinsky, RPT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Newell" <gnewell@ameritech.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 6:55 PM
Subject: Re: Brass finishing


> 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
>
>