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Dry Erase Marker on Keys

  • 1.  Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-19-2014 09:15
    A student used a dry erase marker on the keys of a Yamaha P22 piano in a practice room to write in note names.  I have not seen the piano yet, but I am told the marker is not coming off all the way.  Any suggestions on what to use to clean these keys?

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    David Pritchard
    Lynchburg VA
    434-841-7735
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  • 2.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-19-2014 09:27
    Hi David.

    Try Flitz polish.  It might work.  If you don't have any, get some from Pianotek.  Great for polishing capstans, metal hardware etc too.

    Paul

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    Paul T. Williams RPT
    Director of Piano Services
    School of Music
    813 Assembly St
    University of South Carolina
    Columbia, SC 29208
    pwilliams@mozart.sc.edu
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-19-2014 09:39
     Any suggestions on what to use to clean these keys?

    Try using the student first.  If that doesn't work, you could try the Flitz, or something like Mr. Clean Magic eraser or its equivalent.  First though, if no one here provides you with the definitive suggestion, you should speak to someone at Yamaha to see if they have any suggestions/cautions.  The magic eraser product works, but I think it can also 'satinize' the finish on the key.

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    David Skolnik
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-22-2014 09:46
    Thank you all for the suggestions.  I ended up calling Yamaha and they suggested something mildly abrasive like tartar control toothpaste so I suggested Flitz Metal Polish and they said that would work great.  Flitz did work great.  I was able to clean about 30 keys in about 3 minutes.

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    David Pritchard
    Lynchburg VA
    434-841-7735
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  • 5.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-22-2014 09:51
    Next, I guess, would be to try Flitz on your toothbrush and see how that works out?

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    David Skolnik
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    914-231-7565
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-22-2014 10:11
    Eeeewe!  Maybe they have it in mint?

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    Paul T. Williams RPT
    Director of Piano Services
    School of Music
    813 Assembly St
    University of South Carolina
    Columbia, SC 29208
    pwilliams@mozart.sc.edu
    -------------------------------------------


    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-22-2014 13:28
    Excellent! I love this stuff-- I keep an old Carmex jar of it at my fingertips now. Great for spiffing up tarnished brass inlays on Fallboards, Steinway inlays, etc, etc.

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    Kevin Fortenberry
    Registered Piano Technician
    Lubbock TX
    806-778-3962
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-22-2014 17:40
    Hi, 
    David.  We used to use Peroxicare toothpaste for really grungy keys.  It has peroxide, baking soda, and it leaves the keys with a nifty minty smell!  Glad the Flitz worked for you.  Clark

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    Clark A. Sprague, RPT
    Bowling Green, OH
    www.clarkspianoservice.com
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-05-2014 19:49
    Clark,

    Thanks for your suggestion about Arm&Hammer. I just ordered a tube online. I also ordered Aero 1250 rejuvenator to compare. In the past I've used 0000 steel wool...it works well, but sometimes you have to buff the keys afterwards depending on how hard you push as you're cleaning. 

    David Pritchard, I'll remember the Flitz as well.
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    John Parham, RPT
    Hickory, NC
    828-244-2487
    johnparham@piano88.com
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-20-2014 21:07
    I'll betcha 5 beans that with a little elbow grease and some GooGone that would come right out.

    Give it a try!
    That stuff is my go-to-goo for most key cleaning.

    :}
    michelle

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    Michelle Stranges
    Assistant Piano Technician, Ithaca College
    mstranges@ithaca.edu
    Ithaca, NY
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Dry Erase Marker on Keys

    Posted 09-20-2014 21:45
    Probably any mild abrasive will do such as the detailing products from Meguires

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    Regards,

    Jon Page