At 06:51 AM 11/10/04, you wrote: > Hi Terry: > Steam is still the best way to remove stubborn keytops. Maybe I'm missing something here but Terry asked: > Anybody have suggestions for the best/fastest method for removing old > plastic keytops? The operative word here is "plastic". Does steam really help remove those? Ivory, yes, but plastic? Avery >I bought an old iron from Sally Ann (Salvation Army) line up about six >keys in a row, place a fairly wet washcloth over them, set the iron on and >voila! I use the hottest setting as the wet cloth tends to cool the shoe >of the iron. Take one key off one end and add one from the other, it >helps to have another pair of hands helping. This will give each key >about 3-5 minutes of heat/steam treatment. > Don't worry about warping or bushings, you are not subjecting the keys > to this for too long. I then use a HD utility knife/box cutter to pry > the keytop loose being aware of the grain orientation underneath. If you > feel wood coming up with the top, start lifting at the other end. If it > is unavoidable, I use plastic wood, Webb's wood rebuilder or autobody > Bondo as a filler. > Keep an eye on the wetness of your cloth as it dries out quickly. I > keep a bowl of water handy to replentish when needed. Good Luck! > Mike Kurta > Auburn, NY >_______________________________________________ >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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