Cleaning, Lubricating and Squeak-Proofing
Eliminating the call-backA completely clean piano is much more enjoyable to work on and it has a psychological effect on the owner. With the right tools you can do it in short order. Cleaning, lubricating, and squeak proofing, performed by a skilled technician, can make the difference between being a true professional, and being “that guy”.
Table of contents
Chapter 1 - Cleaning the upright piano
- A: Safely remove case parts, and key slip
- B: Vacuum lower piano
- C: Vacuum upper piano and action, as far as possible
- D: Remove action and vacuum the rest of the inside of the piano
- E: Vacuum the action
Chapter 2 - Lubricating and “squeak proofing” the upright piano
- A: While the action is out, lubricate damper lifter rod and hangers
- B: If lifter rod squeaked at all, remove the rod and polish it
- C: With keys are out, lubricate key pins
- D: If pedals squeak, remove, clean, and lubricate pedal springs and/or any contact points
- E: Use the recommended lubricant
- F: After replacing all parts, check everything with slow, then fast movements
- G: Check the bottom board and tighten screws
Chapter 3 - Cleaning the grand piano
- A: Remove the case parts and place them in a safe place
- B: Vacuum the front rail and sides of the action before removing
- C: Before removing action, see if keys need to be eased
- D: Before removing action (above) see if key height needs to be raised
- E: Remove action to a safe work place
- F: Vacuum action w/o removing stack
- G: For complete cleaning, remove stack and keys, vacuum
- H: Vacuum inside of action cavity
- I: Vacuum tuning pin area
- J: Vacuum all other areas you can reach from the top
- K: Using special soundboard tools, clean the soundboard
- L: Wipe down inside of piano with clean microfiber cloth
- M: If client wishes, clean outer case (Read for cautions)
- N: If you have access to a compressor or “air bomb”, you may blow out the action outside
Chapter 4 - Lubricating and “squeak proofing” the grand piano
- A: While action is out, lightly sand, clean and lubricate the FR and other friction points
- B: While (if) keys are off lubricate the key pins
- C: Lubricate the key bushings with Microfine Teflon powder and burnish
- D: Polish tops of capstans and apply lubricant
- E: Apply Microfine Teflon powder to wippen cushion and burnish
- F: Brush knuckles and apply Microfine Teflon powder, burnish
- G: Clean action return spring & contact point on side of action, then burnish in dag or other
- H: DO NOT apply lubricant to the action centers as standard practice (Know when)
- I: See ebook on pedals, lyres and trapwork for complete job, but here are some “helps”
- J: After finishing, here are some “checks” you should do
Chapter 5 - Additional tips and tricks
