cleaning

[Joe And Penny Goss]

Picks up a 16 lb bowling ball? Add does not drop it on your toe? <g>
Joe Goss RPT
Mother Goose Tools
imatunr@srvinet.com
www.mothergoosetools.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Ilvedson" <ilvey@sbcglobal.net>
To: <dnereson@4dv.net>; <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 8:48 AM
Subject: RE: cleaning


> Dave,
>
> That is one powerful vacuum if you can leave it in the car...;-]   I've
got a Port-o-vac that works well...is their
> a way to measure a vacuum's intake power other than against your hand and
saying "Hmm, seems pretty strong."
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, California
>
>
>
> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------
> From: "David Nereson" <dnereson@4dv.net>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Received: 2/6/2006 12:37:44 AM
> Subject: cleaning
>
>
> >John Formsma wrote:
>
> >> Marshall,
> >>
> >> Carry a little package of "Handy Wipes" to clean your hands after you
> >> finish. You can get them from just about anywhere.
> >>
> >> John Formsma
> >>
> >> pianotune05@comcast.net wrote:
> >>
> >>> Someone out there mentioned a vacuum.  Are you guys referring to
> >>> those little Dirt Devil type?  I'd like to vacuum out a piano
> >>> especially behind the knee board.  Also, is there something useful to
> >>> clean pins, the plate and even the strings?  My hands are black when
> >>> I'm done tuning.
> >>> Marshall
> >>> ps. I was writing up the invoice on Friday with dirty hands, not that
> >>> I mind dirt, but I want to look professional.
> >>
> >>
>
> >   Not "Handy Wipes," but "Wet Ones" in the round plastic can.  They
> >even make anti-bacterial ones.
> >   The little Dirt Devil-type vacuums are too small and not powerful
> >enough except for a cursory cleaning on top of the keys, perhaps.  I
> >went to a used vaccum cleaner store and found a Hoover Shoulder Vac (has
> >a shoulder strap) for about $40.  I leave it in the car, along with the
> >brush attachment and crevice tool (thin nozzle).
> >     For the tuning pins, I use a 1 in. paintbrush to loosen the dirt
> >while vacuuming with the crevice tool, and I have another brush with the
> >bristles worn way down which I use on the bridge pins, hitch pins,
> >stringing braid, embossed details, etc.  For the strings, the brush
> >attachment get most of the dust and the paintbrush gets in where the
> >hose attachment won't fit.  For in between strings, to dust off the top
> >of the bridge (uprights), I use a thin glue brush with the handle
> >flattened.  It has masking tape wrapped around the end of the ferrule so
> >as not to scratch soundboards.    For the plate, I just dust it with a
> >rag.  If it's really dirty, I'll spray 409 or similar cleaner on a damp
> >rag and use that.    For rust on strings, I use Polita, the "ink
> >eraser"-type chunk of rubber with abrasive in it, available from Schaff,
> >I believe.  Steel wool's OK, too.  With either, you have to vacuum up
> >the rubbings.
> >   For the soundboard tools, I use the T-shaped squeegee-type tools
> >along with a soundboard steel (wrapped in shrink tube)  to push a dust
> >rag around under the strings.  Sometimes I'll dampen it with a dust
> >control spray, or even use a damp rag with 409 on it if there are
> >spills, stains, etc.
> >   After cleaning, if my hands are too dirty for just a disposable
> >wipe,  I'll ask the customer if I may wash my hands.  They never
> >refuse.  Just don't make their freshly scoured kitchen sink look like
> >one in a gas station.    What I would like to see is some kind of "fuzzy
> >snake," like wind instrument players have for cleaning trombones,
> >saxophones, etc., that one could push down (or up) the length of the
> >long bridge on uprights.  It would have to be able to slip between the
> >plate struts and strings somehow.  I suppose one unison could be
> >loosened or removed for access in extreme cases.    --David Nereson,
> >RPT
>
>
>
>
> >_______________________________________________
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