Pianotech

  • 1.  soundboard cleaning

    Posted 04-28-2022 18:11
    It appears this topic has not been touched upon for a few years, and I'm wondering if anyone has discovered a (new?) chemical or solution that's safe to use in removing stubborn crud from neglected soundboards.   I have the Spurlock tools, but they can only accomplish limited results with a badly encrusted board.  Many (in the old posts) seem to have an aversion to water or any chemical contacting the strings, so I have avoided it thus far, with some older pianos yielding less than admirable results.  Anything "new" that can help?   Just saw a video of a tech using Meguiar's "Ultimate Quik Detailer" for cleaning the soundboard and plate.   Anyone else tried this? 

    ------------------------------
    Timothy Edwards
    Beckley WV
    740-517-7636
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: soundboard cleaning

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-29-2022 03:11
    I have aggressively used a damp cloth and dish detergent to clean soundboards for many years with no problem.  Other cleaning agents don't work as well and aren't as safe as dish detergents (Dawn?).  The water used dries quickly enough that it hasen't caused issues.

    Soaps (like Murphy's Oil Soap) don't cut grease and dirt as well as dish detergent and stronger cleaners like ammonia containing cleansers will strip finishes.

    I usually follow up with a thinned furniture wax (Howards Feed n Wax, which is a solubilized bees wax) that I cut by about 2/3 with a solvent like orange oil.  A carnuba wax will leave a brighter finish.

    Avoid getting cleaning agents, oil or wax on bass strings or in soundboard cracks.  Clean tenor and treble strings afterward with alcohol.  Wax will help prevent future corrosion if you apply it to the tenor (steel) strings.

    ------------------------------
    Blaine Hebert
    Duarte CA
    626-795-5170
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: soundboard cleaning

    Posted 04-29-2022 07:38
    If I can't remove the strings, I clean a very dirty soundboard with 4-0 steel wool taped to the end of a long shim (like a piece of cedar shingle). I coat the wool in waterless hand cleaner and move it a section at a time, drying it with a cloth as I go. In the middle section, I push around a similar piece of steel wool using tools like Spurlock's soundboard cleaners. It can take 60-90 minutes to to the job, but it removes dried cocktail and soda stains and other unidentifiable goop.

    ------------------------------
    Philip Jamison
    Philip Jamison Pianos
    WEST CHESTER PA
    610-696-8449
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: soundboard cleaning

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-29-2022 13:22
    I've used Cory finish cleaner, spraying it on the pads or cloths I'm pushing around under the strings. This is after getting as much as I can off dry, don't want to get a mud puddle. 
    Works on plates as well.

    ------------------------------
    Steven Rosenthal
    Honolulu HI
    808-521-7129
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: soundboard cleaning

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 04-29-2022 18:04
    Every once in a while you'll run across a soundboard that was finished with shellac.  These are rare but I've no doubt they're at the root of the fear of using water to clean soundboards.  You can't tell by looking at them, so on a rebuild or an off brand it's best to test on an inconspicuous area before proceeding.  The usual lacquer finish won't be harmed by water unless it stands on it for an extended period of time so a wet rag that's been wrung out won't pose any hazard to soundboard or strings--the water will evaporate readily enough in ordinary conditions.

    ------------------------------
    Cecil Snyder
    Torrance CA
    310-542-7108
    ------------------------------