[pianotech] Ballistol Lube

[Wesley Hardman]

Doug,

Thank you so much for the reply.

Wesley Hardman
Scottsboro, Alabama

On Thu, Nov 10, 2011 at 11:08 PM, Douglas Gregg
<classicpianodoc at gmail.com>wrote:

> First the disclaimer, I posted the Ballistol TT&T. This is the best
> stuff I have ever used for almost anything that is sticky or squeaks.
> It beats any silicone based lube and it really lasts. The spray can is
> what I carry on the road. I buy them by the dozen.  It comes with a
> thin straw to reach difficult places.  The bulk can comes in pints or
> gallons. I recently bought a gallon. That gives you some idea how good
> I think it is. I put the bulk Ballistol in an olive oil sprayer that
> pumps up by hand with an up and down action of the top. You can get
> one  at most cooking accessory stores.  The bulk liquid is a bit more
> viscous than the spray can. You can dilute it with your favorite
> solvent if you like, but you don't have to and I don't.  I use the
> olive oil sprayer in the shop for action work.
>
> With an old action on the bench, I will just make a continuous spray
> over all the centers. That takes about a minute and you solve all
> kinds of issues.  It is the best thing I have found for verdigris. It
> works on all but the most stubborn old S&S model Vs. In the home, I
> use it to free up any stuck or slow center or key bushing. One shot
> and you are done. It saves so much time. Rarely do problems come back.
>
>  Don't worry about getting it on felt or leather. It is safe for both.
> For knuckles, I mix some MolyKote (molybdenum dioxide) powder with the
> bulk form and use it to softens the leather and the Molykote is more
> slippery than graphite. Don't add solvent here or it will harden the
> leather. DAMHIK.  I put this on with a metal handled plumbers brush
> sold for solder flux.
>
> If I run across old hard dampers that don't respond to an emery board
> filing, toothbrushing or needling, and I know the owner won't have
> them replaced, I give them a shot of Ballistol. It softens the felt
> and quiets them immediately. One caution, on bass strings, it will
> dissolve the corrosion on the copper and will transfer the green
> residue to the felt. Probably no problem on an old upright but not so
> good on a nice new grand.  Also, if overdone, it can get into the
> copper winding and could dampen the tone slightly. So go easy around
> bass strings. On the good side, if you have a buzzing string that you
> can't quiet short of replacing it, Give a small shot of Ballistol on
> the ends of the winding and it will likely quit buzzing. It takes care
> of buzzing in old spinet bass strings, etc. with no cost, and you are
> a hero. The effect lasts too.
>
> Use it on trap work too for squeaks,if for no other reason but to find
> the squeak. A shot at each moving part will quickly find the culprit.
> In most cases, it will cure it too.
>
> I also use it on my van for squeaky door hinges, stiff door lock
> tumblers or frozen ones,and those little bearing/wheels on sliding van
> doors that make the door hard to close. Ballistol does not seem to
> collect dirt either, so these bearings stay cleaner longer than with
> WD-40 or silicone. I don't even buy WD-40 anymore. I haven't bought
> any silicone based sprays in ages.
>
> Concerning odor, it does not have a strong smelling solvent in the
> spray can and has no solvent in the bulk can, so you are not going to
> gas someones living room by using a lot of spray. It does leave an
> odor. Initially, it is a bit like a wet dog smell but quickly changes
> to a cedar oil-like smell that is not unpleasant. Owners will start
> relating that smell to a smooth working action. LOL.
>
> Ballistol is a light oil and will leave some oil in wood parts. If it
> is a brand new white wood action in a showroom, use with care or be
> aware that there will be a slight darkening of wood. No problem in old
> pianos. It disappears in darker wood.
>
> Ballistol is a household product in Germany. It has many other uses
> too. An interesting one: it is antibacterial and will cure foot rot in
> horses. It might even work on athlete's foot. Not sure about that. But
> it was used to good effect in WWI and WWII on wounds as well as on
> guns.
>
> Once you try Ballistol, you will likely reach for it first and might
> quit carrying any other lubes.
>
> Doug Gregg
> Classic Piano Doc
> Southold, NY
>
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