Removing old keytops

[Ed Sutton]

Shawn-

It's not easy to remove the top part of one piece tops without shattering the front part. It needs to be done with some kind of dangerous power tool. 

On the other hand, gentle heat and prying with a thin knife will probably remove the whole top. It will take a while, and be careful not to split the wood. Maybe....just maybe...you could slice across under the front lip with a razor saw, then remove the top with heat and leave the front in place.

PVC-E (Sobo glue) is very effective in gluing down plastic keytops. It seems to pull down the keytop about a minute after you put the key and top together ("self-clamping")  It also wipes away easily with a damp rag when wet, and fairly easily with alcohol after drying. Put the key top on and rub and press to get the glue to hold. Align it carefully, set it down, and check the alignment again in a minute, because sometimes the keytop travels a little as it settles in.

Ed Sutton


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Shawn Brock 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 12:17 PM
  Subject: Removing old keytops


  List,

  I have a Kawai U S T 5 which was given to me.  Problems include, broken sustain peddle, finish damage and chipped keytops.  This is a piano that I will probably turn in to a rental...  So the object here is to make more money than you spend...  Given this fact, I am going to replace the keytops myself.  These are one peace top and front.  Anyone want to share ideas for removing them?  I can easily get them off from the back, it almost looks like they are not glued down in the back.  Taking this approach though causes them to snap in the middle.  I usually farm out my keytop business but this just seems to not be worth it...  So, back to the subject at hand...  Should I heat them?  Or is it better to just chip away at them.  The ones I have removed seem to come off easily, but I wonder if a little heat will make it easier still!  Question 2:  Do you think I should go with the one peace tops and fronts?  I will say, that I hate the one peace top and front but...  Its what was on the piano.  Oh, and yes I'm sure the same thing will happen at some point.  They will chip or start to come off, but this is not a piano that's mint to last a lifetime.  I have a feeling they would have lasted longer, but it looks like the piano might have been abused heavily.  Regards
  Shawn Brock, RPT
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