Blaine --
I always dry dust the soundboard using microfiber dust cloth, sweeping it all over with a spring steel. (grand)
I always dust the pinblock area using a quality bristle detailing brush. (grand)
I always clean the keys with a light spray of the approved anti-covid quality of 70% alcohol, and then quickly give them a good wipe down.
I always check the pedals, and adjust as necessary.
I always, when possible, polish the fallboard brass using Flitz.
Tip 1: DON'T polish the brass on a Bösendorfer with their wonderful, but unusual, satin finish. You will ruin the finish, making it shiny, near the brass. DAMHIK.)
TIP 2: Always polish the fallboard brass before you clean the keys otherwise it will leave a small amount of very fine dust on the keys below, which the customer WILL feel when they sit down to play.
When I come across a piano that is too dirty to just brush and dust, I generally want the customer to be somewhat involved. Not to punish them so much as to just let them be aware of how much dirt is actually there and what it involves to get rid of it. I will first ask the customer if they have a dustbuster, or equivalent. Frequently the answer is no but they happily will bring out their regular vacuum. If their vacuum isn't up to the job then "suddenly" I will remember that I have a small vacuum, (that also blows), in the car and go get it. I've never had a customer who wasn't apologetic about letting it go that long, and then being very grateful that I have taken care of it, since their previous tuner obviously never did..
I almost always, depending on time and effort involved, do all this at no charge.
While I always write out this service on my invoice, I always verbally point out these extra efforts so that they are noticed. Not only do I get thanked for the extra work, but I sometimes get a tip that is more than what I might have charged for the extra work. Best of all, I usually become their new tuner.
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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-08-2021 20:42
From: Blaine Hebert
Subject: Your cleaning process.
One of the previous threads evolved into excessive medical and political arguments, but it did prompt some important and relevant questions.
What are your procedures for routine cleaning of piano interiors and keys? Not major string and soundboard cleaning (unless you do this on every service call), but part of your annual or routine service call and tuning.
I began carrying a "reusable grocery bag" with a spray bottle of diluted Spic n Span, Swifters and industrial disposable towels. To stash the used towels I also include a plastic grocery bag which comes in quite handy for other debris like cut wire ends, paperclips and broken piano parts. I no longer have to hunt through the customer's house for a trash can.
My personal debate is whether or not to always bring along a vacuum. Personally, if I drag out the vacuum I want to get paid, but others haul out the vacuum on nearly every job and yes, I see all that accumulated dust between the grand tuning pins.
I do now believe that we should all be cleaning keys on every service call... just my humble opinion.
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Blaine Hebert
Duarte CA
626-795-5170
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