Newbie; Cleaning actions

[Farrell]

Claudia, Susan Kline pointed out:

> When cleaning a filthy piano, always wear a dust mask, and always
> clean your hands and face well afterwards with plenty of soap
> and water. You can catch a cold from a filthy piano. If you are
> cleaning the keybed, rubber gloves wouldn't hurt, either.

Good point from Susan. Many old pianos have had numerous animalia species that leave feces - if you get my drift! I have heard that some rat dropping dust can be downright disease-causing. I highly recommend a good fitting half-face (full-face is better, but oh, so cumbersome and hot) respirator. The paper dust masks really don't do much at all. You can put only a dust filter on the respirator and breathing is very easy. Good luck!

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan Kline" <sckline@attbi.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2002 12:57 PM
Subject: Re: Newbie; Cleaning actions


> At 10:22 AM 5/5/2002 -0700, you wrote:
> >Hi all,
> >
> >First, a couple words to introduce myself: I am a piano technology student 
> >and in the process of restoring my first upright piano. It is a very 
> >educational experience. I have been subscribed to this list for a few days 
> >now, and find it very interesting to read the ongoing discussions. Thank 
> >you for letting me "listen in", even though I am not as experienced yet as 
> >all of you.
> >
> >A couple questions:
> >1. Is it ok on this list for a piano tech newbie to ask questions or is 
> >there a better venue for that? I am not yet a member of the PTG, but plan 
> >on joining very soon.
> >
> >2. A quick question on cleaning actions: The old upright I am restoring 
> >has an extremely dirty action. It is very very dusty. How would you go 
> >about cleaning this? I would be interested in hearining how you would go 
> >about doing this with a minimum set of tools ("the hard way"), or in an 
> >established shop.
> >
> >Thank you very much in advance for your replies.
> >
> >Regards,
> >/Claudia
> 
> Hi, Claudia, and welcome.
> 
> This is the perfect place to ask questions.
> 
> As for cleaning a filthy upright action, your best bet is to blow it out
> with compressed air (outdoors!) Of course, an air compressor isn't
> exactly a "basic tool" -- maybe you can find someone with a compressor
> who would let you haul over your filthy piano action and use their
> compressor just outside their shop. Some piano people have them, but
> also those with other types of shops, such as woodworkers, automotive
> folks, etc. Maybe a community college might be a place to look. Act
> friendly, see if they'll let you drop in between classes.
> 
> Once you find your compressed air, be aware that it can tear damper
> felt. When using it near the dampers, compress the felt with a piece
> of cardboard so that the air can't rip it up. That is, unless the
> damper felt will be replaced anyway, of course.
> 
> If air is too difficult to get, the next-best way would be to use a vacuum
> cleaner and a large (dry, clean) paintbrush. Brush what you can reach
> with the paintbrush, while holding the hose of the vacuum an inch or
> so away. As you remove (numbered!) parts, you will get access to the
> more deeply grungy places.
> 
> When cleaning a filthy piano, always wear a dust mask, and always
> clean your hands and face well afterwards with plenty of soap
> and water. You can catch a cold from a filthy piano. If you are
> cleaning the keybed, rubber gloves wouldn't hurt, either.
> 
> What brand of piano are you working on?
> 
> Best,
> 
> Susan Kline 
>