Pianotech

Don't overlook good old fashioned Flitz.  I even use it on my headlights.

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Floyd Gadd
Regina SK
306-502-9103
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-29-2017 11:58
From: Scott Cole
Subject: Polishing plastic keys

I recently serviced a grand that had divots in about half of the key fronts due to a poorly-positioned action (the highest octave were barely playable...). They were digging into the key slip. I was able to sand and polish out the divots, but I'm wondering how to restore the original luster to the plastic keys. I went down to 1200 grit paper, but it wasn't quite enough. For those with this experience, how fine do you need? I have a buffing wheel for my power drill, but don't yet have a bench grinder. I buffed them with white compound, but I think I need an extra step or more of finishing paper.

I've seen some products such as Novus #2 plastic polishing compound for headlights/etc. Mother's also has something similar. Are those appropriate?

--

Scott Cole, Registered Piano Technician

Serving Southern Oregon and Northern California

(541)601-9033

rvpianotuner.com

Novus will work fine, just add elbow grease. I use Flitz, which works on metals as well as plastic. 1200 is fine enough, but then you need a final polish, which the Novus should take care of. A bench polishing wheel is nice to have, but you have to be careful the wheel doesn't catch the keystick and send it flying. Don't ask.. I'm not sure which white compound you're using. Did you sand with any other grit paper? If so, make sure the sanding scratches are completely removed before trying to make a final polish.
Paul McCloud
San Diego

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Scott Cole


I recently serviced a grand that had divots in about half of the key fronts due to a poorly-positioned action (the highest octave were barely playable...). They were digging into the key slip. I was able to sand and polish out the divots, but I'm wondering how to restore the original luster to the plastic keys. I went down to 1200 grit paper, but it wasn't quite enough. For those with this experience, how fine do you need? I have a buffing wheel for my power drill, but don't yet have a bench grinder. I buffed them with white compound, but I think I need an extra step or more of finishing paper.


I've seen some products such as Novus #2 plastic polishing compound for headlights/etc. Mother's also has something similar. Are those appropriate?


--


Scott Cole, Registered Piano Technician
Serving Southern Oregon and Northern California
(541)601-9033


Original Message------

I recently serviced a grand that had divots in about half of the key fronts due to a poorly-positioned action (the highest octave were barely playable...). They were digging into the key slip. I was able to sand and polish out the divots, but I'm wondering how to restore the original luster to the plastic keys. I went down to 1200 grit paper, but it wasn't quite enough. For those with this experience, how fine do you need? I have a buffing wheel for my power drill, but don't yet have a bench grinder. I buffed them with white compound, but I think I need an extra step or more of finishing paper.

I've seen some products such as Novus #2 plastic polishing compound for headlights/etc. Mother's also has something similar. Are those appropriate?

--

Scott Cole, Registered Piano Technician

Serving Southern Oregon and Northern California

(541)601-9033

rvpianotuner.com

I concur about the flying keystick ... flying at me, actually.

One other thing with a buffing wheel on a bench grinder: if you use too much pressure and especially if you stay in one place too long, the plastic will melt. Don't ask ... Also, you'll need to clean off the old caked on compound now and then, which I do by wrapping a piece of coarse sandpaper around a piece of wood and buffing with it. One would think this would leave grit in the wheel, but I haven't found it to happen. Then load the wheel with fresh compound. 

I have two buffing wheels, one for metal and the other for ivory and plastic. I couldn't find wide enough ones for sale, so I bought four narrow ones and went to a shoe repair place. They made me two from the four by stitching through the sides with their very strong sewing machine.

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Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-29-2017 12:16
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: Polishing plastic keys

Novus will work fine, just add elbow grease. I use Flitz, which works on metals as well as plastic. 1200 is fine enough, but then you need a final polish, which the Novus should take care of. A bench polishing wheel is nice to have, but you have to be careful the wheel doesn't catch the keystick and send it flying. Don't ask.. I'm not sure which white compound you're using. Did you sand with any other grit paper? If so, make sure the sanding scratches are completely removed before trying to make a final polish.
Paul McCloud
San Diego

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scott Cole


I recently serviced a grand that had divots in about half of the key fronts due to a poorly-positioned action (the highest octave were barely playable...). They were digging into the key slip. I was able to sand and polish out the divots, but I'm wondering how to restore the original luster to the plastic keys. I went down to 1200 grit paper, but it wasn't quite enough. For those with this experience, how fine do you need? I have a buffing wheel for my power drill, but don't yet have a bench grinder. I buffed them with white compound, but I think I need an extra step or more of finishing paper.


I've seen some products such as Novus #2 plastic polishing compound for headlights/etc. Mother's also has something similar. Are those appropriate?


--


Scott Cole, Registered Piano Technician
Serving Southern Oregon and Northern California
(541)601-9033


Original Message------

I recently serviced a grand that had divots in about half of the key fronts due to a poorly-positioned action (the highest octave were barely playable...). They were digging into the key slip. I was able to sand and polish out the divots, but I'm wondering how to restore the original luster to the plastic keys. I went down to 1200 grit paper, but it wasn't quite enough. For those with this experience, how fine do you need? I have a buffing wheel for my power drill, but don't yet have a bench grinder. I buffed them with white compound, but I think I need an extra step or more of finishing paper.

I've seen some products such as Novus #2 plastic polishing compound for headlights/etc. Mother's also has something similar. Are those appropriate?

--

Scott Cole, Registered Piano Technician

Serving Southern Oregon and Northern California

(541)601-9033

rvpianotuner.com

Original Message------

I concur about the flying keystick ... flying at me, actually.

One other thing with a buffing wheel on a bench grinder: if you use too much pressure and especially if you stay in one place too long, the plastic will melt. Don't ask ... Also, you'll need to clean off the old caked on compound now and then, which I do by wrapping a piece of coarse sandpaper around a piece of wood and buffing with it. One would think this would leave grit in the wheel, but I haven't found it to happen. Then load the wheel with fresh compound. 

I have two buffing wheels, one for metal and the other for ivory and plastic. I couldn't find wide enough ones for sale, so I bought four narrow ones and went to a shoe repair place. They made me two from the four by stitching through the sides with their very strong sewing machine.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
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