Getting the action parts

[Dave Nereson]

----- Original Message -----
From: Claudia Cimenti <claudia_cimenti@mail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 1:56 PM
Subject: Getting the action parts


> Hi all,
>
> I am somewhat confused.  In one of the posts re: my request about how to
> clean an action, somebody wrote:
>
> >Avoid using anything wet to clean the action.

    Yes, generally, you don't let the action get all wet; you don't spray it
down with a hose or anything.  Felts will shrink or loosen, wooden parts
will swell, then dry and shrink, possibly split, iron or steel parts
(screws) will rust, bushings will loosen, etc.  So, no, keep it dry.  Piano
actions, which are mostly wood, leather, and felt, are not designed to
survive a soaking !!
>
> At the same time, other people recommend using certain liquid recipes to
> get the action clean. Today I read about people taking damper assemblies
> into the shower to get the damper felt off...

    I'd say "into the shower" is an exaggeration.  Maybe Wim takes showers
with dampers, but most technicians don't.   If you're removing a whole set
of damper felts to replace them, then yes, you might use a method that gets
the whole damper head wet, but not the whole damper lever of an upright
action !  To clean various other parts of the action, you might "wet" a rag
with cleaning-type furniture polish or maybe Brasso, like on the hammer
rail.  Or if the sticker rail has a quarter inch of dust on it, I suppose
you could use a wet rag.  But it's not usually necessary.  If you have an
air compressor, set the action outside the shop door and blow it out.  If
you don't, use the vacuum cleaner and paint brush method.  If the hose of
the vacuum cleaner will hook up to the exhaust, you can use that to blow
with, also.  It's not as strong as an air compressor, but works.
    The glass bead or walnut shell chip blasting is overkill, in my opinion.
The action doesn't have to be pristine and sterile -- just decently clean so
the parts function well and you don't turn your hands black when regulating
it.
>
> So, is it ok for action parts to become wet?

    I say, NO!  (Unless you're soaking off felt)

>I guess there is a distinction  to be made between using a small amount of
liquid on a rag to clean stuff,
> and then drying it off vs. putting a whole assembly in liquid.

    Exactly.

>What are  possible ramifications of getting action parts wet? Next to felts
coming
> off, what about center pin bushings, etc?

    See above.  They can loosen, swell, fall off, shrink, etc.
>
> Thanks in advance for your clarifications.
>
> Regards,
> /Claudia

                                --David Nereson, RPT, Denver

>