Whitening ivory keys

[John Ross]

The normal peroxide that you get is 3%.
You get better results, if you use 30%, which can be ordered from, a 
drug store.
Last time I checked it was $30/litre.
I understand, that bleach from a woman's hairdresser, is strong enough, 
to do a good job.
Still has to be used with sunshine, or a special lamp, for both 
products.
I have been tempted to try the wood bleach, the stuff that comes with a 
neutralizer. Watch it though, I tried it on wood years ago, some got on 
my hand, and it whitened.
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Britt West" <brittsam@charter.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 11:05 PM
Subject: Re: Whitening ivory keys


> Duaine,
>      The site Avery Todd listed in his post has some great info but 
> you can also just use regular hydrogen peroxide brushed from the drug 
> store.  When using peroxide it will raise the grain so sanding and 
> buffing afterwards is a must.  I place the keys (usually still on the 
> keyframe) out in direct sunlight on a sunny day.  I paint hydrogen 
> peroxide on with a brush every 15 min or so as they dry.  Yellow spots 
> or really yellow keys may take several days to bleach out.  After 
> bleaching I glue down loose ivories with glue wafers and clamps. 
> (Pianotek and Schaff carry them) If they are just barely coming loose 
> I may wick some thin CA in there to hold them, but if in doubt I pull 
> them off and use a new glue wafer.  I then sand the tops level and 
> repair the chips with the Acrilite II ivory repair system that is 
> advertised in the back of the journal.  (If you don't get the PTG 
> Journal I will be happy to email you the info) This is a great kit and 
> if you will be doing many of these I highly recommend it.  I finish 
> off with buffing on a cloth wheel.
>
> Britt
>
>
> Britt West, RPT
>
> West Piano Service
> 2211 Flat Rock Road
> Watkinsville, GA 30677
> 706-769-4060
> 706-338-9557
>
> registered piano technician
> Piano Technicians Guild
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>