how about? for damper felts

[Allen Wright]

While we're on this subject - I just introduced the notion of using a  
damper felt removal solution (diluted wallpaper remover and vinegar)  
rather than the manly (or womanly) slicing off and sanding of old  
felts (the old-fashioned method they've been using here), into the  
milieu of the Steinway London Restoration Centre, where I've been  
working for the last few months. Lightbulbs went on above heads when  
they realized how much time they won't be wasting anymore if they  
incorporate this cheeky American technique : )

I've always figured that the ratios of the different ingredients were  
not particularly crucial - just a well-diluted solution. Does anyone  
have any comments on that? Is the vinegar really necessary? I think  
my solution morphed over the years from one including alcohol-water- 
vinegar to the present one, for vaguely remembered reasons....

For keybushing removal here, they've been using pure "meths'", which  
as far as i can tell is a mix of ethanol and methanol (yikes - isn't  
that toxic?) and lots of tugging and slicing. I think the American  
solution will be an improvement with that, as well.

I know: steam and wet cloth works very well on key bushings also, but  
that's probably a little too radical too present here.

I'd be curious to hear if there are any other ideas on glue softening  
solutions. This one works best with hide glue, naturally. Anybody  
have a solution for white and other more stubborn glues?

Sincerely,

Allen Wright, RPT
London, UK

On 18 May 2007, at 22:01, Tunebyear at aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 5/18/2007 4:02:43 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
> mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com writes:
> The
> bit of felt glued with white glue I have experience with were not  
> easy to
> remove. I've tried with a knife - and I kinda worked - I changed the
> thickness of some damper heads a bit - I sure didn't find it real easy
> How did you know it was white glue ?
>
> T,Ayers
>
>
>
> See what's free at AOL.com.

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