There's no need to be close to the ocean to develop "cancer". Try getting some TSI 301 and give it a dose, and see what happens. Maybe two shots.
I had a case where the shanks and flanges had been replaced like in the 50's or so. By now they had developed mild verdigris. Generally easily cleanable. I cleaned it and it was good for a while but some sluggishness persisted. Cleaned again and again over time but sluggishness persisted. Very strange...
Finally I decided to repin. That was how I found the real culprit. Many center pins were scored and/or bent, much plating was gone, creating unusually excessive friction. Repinning with precut SS center pins solved the problem.
I have no idea how such damage occurred on these factory parts, but it was there.
Peter Grey Piano Doctor
------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-23-2024 18:30
From: James Kelly
Subject: 1948 Steinway with vertigris
I am on the coast of SC and humidity is a problem most of the year. Depending how close to the ocean the piano may be getting a good dose of humidity as well as some good ole corrosive ocean air. I have had customers leave windows and doors open all day and night because they like the smell of the air and the breeze.I am surprised the pin block did not get damaged from constant heat from the dehumidifier bar 24 x 7. You did not mention string rust which also be a problem You could try repinning some of the worst hammers but it may be time to price new h/s/f . After all the piano is up there in age. Also find out what the customer does with windows/doors and HVAC settings
------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
Original Message:
Sent: 04-23-2024 15:25
From: William Shull
Subject: 1948 Steinway with vertigris
Expect verdigris to develop until the end of cloth bushings, ca. 1960.
Regards,
Bill
Bill Shull, RPT, M.Mus.
www.shullpiano.com
www.periodpiano.org
909 796-4226
Sent from my iPhone
Original Message:
Sent: 4/23/2024 3:15:00 PM
From: Wim Blees
Subject: RE: 1948 Steinway with vertigris
In Hawaii it is very common to put a DC under the pin block. The humidity is so high 24?7/265 that the heat has no effect on the pin block, but it helped keep the centers free.
I suspect that even with the DC in the action cavity it wasn't enough to keep the center pins from corroding, which is the problem you're probably looking at. Corroding center pins is not the same as verdigris, which comes from the bushings.
Repinning is your best option, unless the h/s/f need to be replaced anyway because of wear.
Wim
Original Message:
Sent: 4/23/2024 2:38:00 PM
From: James Johnson
Subject: 1948 Steinway with vertigris
I tuned a Steinway M yesterday that was manufactured in 1948. The action was very sluggish and upon further inspection I discovered vertigris on all the action centers in the top action. The damper underlevers seemed fine. I thought that the flanges with vertigris problems were in pianos built in the 20-30s, not in 1948. Has anyone else seen this problem in post WW2 Steinways? The piano spent most of it's life near the ocean in Northern California and it had a Dampchaser installed under the pinblock with no control unit which has been running 24/7 for an extended period of time. I removed the Damchaser. All the center pins are covered with the usual green crude we see on older Steinways. Should I repin or replace parts?
Sent from my iPhone