Such a common cause of key squeak! Thank you! As I had no teflon I used graphite, and it worked great on some squeaks I had going on a 1989 Young Chang Upright.
Hi your videos rockkk!, I bought a quarter of CLP and I learned to apply it to the pins. My question is can i use the CLP on the bushings instead of PTFE? and if i use teflon, it should be in powder or can be also on spray? thanks !
No, keys are made for specific notes. And different models of pianos will have different shapes to the keys as well so you couldn't take a middle C from a Yamaha piano and put it on the middle C of a Kimball piano.
Hi Steve, On one of your other videos on cleaning and lubricating keypins, you use CLP .... and then in this video you recommend using PTFE powder on the bushings....aren't you therefore effectively mixing the two?
I guess to some degree the two things are going together. But I wouldn't really see it as mixing them as the PTFE powder gets applied to the bushings and the Protek gets put on the pins. The Protek dries so by the time it comes into contact with the PTFE powder the two substances aren't really being mixed.
Do worn or unlubricated key bushings make noise? I have some rattling in my keys and it appears to be coming from the key itself. Not everyone can hear it as well as I can but it drives me crazy. If this does make a subtle kind of noise, is there a video that illustrates it (or makes it audible I should say?), so I can more clearly explain it to a piano tuner and get it fixed?
It possibly could be in the keys, but more commonly it is somewhere in the action. It can appear to be in the keys as moving the keys is what causes the action parts to move, so you'll hear the noise when the keys are moving.
I have never seen graphite used for this application. I think it would do the job but it's probably not used here because it would be too messy and turn the felt black.
Would this work for keys that stick down? I have five keys on my piano that are sticking and staying down when I play. I had a young self-taught tech look at it. He mentioned drilling the bushing hole wider. He tried using pencil lead to lubricate but it didn’t work. I’m nervous that he called it bridge pin instead of bushings. He may or may not know what he is doing and I don’t want him drilling holes in my piano keys. He then said he would use an exact knife to widen the holes. I am unsure if I should book this or try find someone else.
If key bushings are tight they can be "eased" with key easing pliers. This tool compresses the felt bushings. Drilling larger holes is not an appropriate fix. There are many things that can make a key stick in the down position. First the cause of the problem must be identified before deciding on how to fix it. See our video entitled " Diagnosing the sticking piano key".
I am getting a squeaking (really its more light a light creaking noise) on some keys and I've isolated it bellow the whippet, I believe you call it, (the part of the action that is higher up) I have a Yamaha upright. Can a slight creaking noise come from the key bushings? If I had to guess that is where I would say the creak is coming from. And could there be any harm in lubricating them with this powder if that isn't the problem? Thanks!
Yes, from your description, it sounds like it very well may be the key bushings causing the noise. I have come across this problem in the past and lubricating the bushings works well. I typically use Protek CLP for this specific problem as it will take care of it if that is the issue.
for all intents and purposes the powder is Teflon right? Didn't Steinway experiment with Teflon and revert back? How is the use of the powder for lube the same or different from steinway? also is that CLP the same as the CLP i used to clean my M-16 and M9?
No, new pianos should not need their key bushings lubricated. They should be ready to perform, with no major regulation issues, on the showroom floor. Thanks for watching!
One of the keys of the piano has widening in the bushing hole. It causes the black key to slide left and right. Will the felt need to be changed? Do you have a solution for this?
What if when 3 consecutive hammers move by the key in the middle? And when two keys are so close together that they rub against each other? How to fix that? 😢
This could be any number of issues, from key bushings to improper action alignment. I would recommend getting an estimate from a local technician. Thanks for watching!
@@howardpianoind Thanks for your kind reply, I fixed it , it was one of the catchers heads fell down with its shank and locked the three hammers together i just picked it up with a tweezer and put the catcher's shank in its place . But i forgot to glue it, it might have fallen during the Piano moving.
On my piano. The hole is enlarged on Almosen every key. If i lift the key only in the Front, it Drops down really easy. Is there a way to make These holes smaller again?
If it is the hole with the bushing, you will probably need to replace the cloth bushing as they get worn over time. We have a set of two videos on how to replace the key bushings.
If it is the hole on the bottom of the key without the felt, pretty much the only thing you can do is to put in inserts on the bottom of the key so there is a new hole on the bottom. If it is the felt on the top, that felt can be replaced as well. The front to back movement is because of the hole on the bottom of the key.
@@howardpianoind You're a hero! I just lubricated my middle C key bushings with graphite powder which I already had for lubricating a lock. No piano technicians around unfortunately with Covid lock-down... I was super careful with mess - thanks for that warning! But it's worked a treat. No more squeak! Thank you again for the amazing videos.
Such a common cause of key squeak! Thank you! As I had no teflon I used graphite, and it worked great on some squeaks I had going on a 1989 Young Chang Upright.
Great video. Thanks, for sharing your expertise.
Hi!, i like all your videos, im learning a lot!...
Thank so much.
Hi Israel,
Thanks for watching! It's good to hear that you've found the videos to be educational.
Hi your videos rockkk!, I bought a quarter of CLP and I learned to apply it to the pins.
My question is can i use the CLP on the bushings instead of PTFE? and if i use teflon, it should be in powder or can be also on spray? thanks !
Muito bom ver seus vídeos. No Brazil não existe nada assim. Obrigado!
Thanks for this. Really useful!
Curious. Can you move (switch) piano keys to different places without an issue? Or is each made only for the spot it lies in now.
No, keys are made for specific notes. And different models of pianos will have different shapes to the keys as well so you couldn't take a middle C from a Yamaha piano and put it on the middle C of a Kimball piano.
Wonderfully useful thanks! Hope this fixes my squeaky high C!
Glad it helped!
You sell different sizes. Is 1 oz enough for a piano (full refurbish, vintage baby grand). If not, how much would you recommend?
Yes, 1 oz should be more than enough for one piano.
Thanks Steve. Is it OK to effectively mix the Teflon powder on the bushings with the CLP that you've lubricated the pins with?
Hi Chris,
I haven't ever tried this. PTFE powder doesn't dissolve in most solvents so my guess would be that it wouldn't work quite the same.
Hi Steve,
On one of your other videos on cleaning and lubricating keypins, you use CLP .... and then in this video you recommend using PTFE powder on the bushings....aren't you therefore effectively mixing the two?
I guess to some degree the two things are going together. But I wouldn't really see it as mixing them as the PTFE powder gets applied to the bushings and the Protek gets put on the pins. The Protek dries so by the time it comes into contact with the PTFE powder the two substances aren't really being mixed.
Thanks Steve.
AFAIK Protek is actually PTFE (plus special solvent to make it liquid) so no harm in mixing it with PTFE powder.
Do worn or unlubricated key bushings make noise? I have some rattling in my keys and it appears to be coming from the key itself. Not everyone can hear it as well as I can but it drives me crazy. If this does make a subtle kind of noise, is there a video that illustrates it (or makes it audible I should say?), so I can more clearly explain it to a piano tuner and get it fixed?
It possibly could be in the keys, but more commonly it is somewhere in the action. It can appear to be in the keys as moving the keys is what causes the action parts to move, so you'll hear the noise when the keys are moving.
subscribed!
Hello. Can I use fine graphite for that same purpouse ?
I have never seen graphite used for this application. I think it would do the job but it's probably not used here because it would be too messy and turn the felt black.
Would this work for keys that stick down? I have five keys on my piano that are sticking and staying down when I play. I had a young self-taught tech look at it. He mentioned drilling the bushing hole wider. He tried using pencil lead to lubricate but it didn’t work. I’m nervous that he called it bridge pin instead of bushings. He may or may not know what he is doing and I don’t want him drilling holes in my piano keys. He then said he would use an exact knife to widen the holes. I am unsure if I should book this or try find someone else.
If key bushings are tight they can be "eased" with key easing pliers. This tool compresses the felt bushings. Drilling larger holes is not an appropriate fix. There are many things that can make a key stick in the down position. First the cause of the problem must be identified before deciding on how to fix it. See our video entitled " Diagnosing the sticking piano key".
First you should check to make sure the key slip isn't warped and pressing against the fronts of the keys
What kind of lubricant do you use for front pins and balance pins?
Protek CLP is a good lubricant for these pins.
I am getting a squeaking (really its more light a light creaking noise) on some keys and I've isolated it bellow the whippet, I believe you call it, (the part of the action that is higher up) I have a Yamaha upright. Can a slight creaking noise come from the key bushings? If I had to guess that is where I would say the creak is coming from. And could there be any harm in lubricating them with this powder if that isn't the problem? Thanks!
Yes, from your description, it sounds like it very well may be the key bushings causing the noise. I have come across this problem in the past and lubricating the bushings works well. I typically use Protek CLP for this specific problem as it will take care of it if that is the issue.
for all intents and purposes the powder is Teflon right? Didn't Steinway experiment with Teflon and revert back? How is the use of the powder for lube the same or different from steinway?
also is that CLP the same as the CLP i used to clean my M-16 and M9?
Do new pianos need to have this done to them?
No, new pianos should not need their key bushings lubricated. They should be ready to perform, with no major regulation issues, on the showroom floor. Thanks for watching!
@@howardpianoind Thank you very much for replying…actually this one was shipped in box to me without being in the show room or any preparation..
One of the keys of the piano has widening in the bushing hole. It causes the black key to slide left and right. Will the felt need to be changed? Do you have a solution for this?
Yes, the key bushings probably need to be changed.
@@howardpianoind Thank you.
What if when 3 consecutive hammers move by the key in the middle? And when two keys are so close together that they rub against each other? How to fix that? 😢
This could be any number of issues, from key bushings to improper action alignment. I would recommend getting an estimate from a local technician. Thanks for watching!
@@howardpianoind Thanks for your kind reply, I fixed it , it was one of the catchers heads fell down with its shank and locked the three hammers together i just picked it up with a tweezer and put the catcher's shank in its place . But i forgot to glue it, it might have fallen during the Piano moving.
I need to buy some of this stuff
On my piano. The hole is enlarged on Almosen every key. If i lift the key only in the Front, it Drops down really easy. Is there a way to make These holes smaller again?
If it is the hole with the bushing, you will probably need to replace the cloth bushing as they get worn over time. We have a set of two videos on how to replace the key bushings.
howardpianoind it is the small hole in the middle of the key. Also a few keys move Front and back. But only about .5mm
If it is the hole on the bottom of the key without the felt, pretty much the only thing you can do is to put in inserts on the bottom of the key so there is a new hole on the bottom. If it is the felt on the top, that felt can be replaced as well. The front to back movement is because of the hole on the bottom of the key.
How bout using graphite instead of the PTFE powder?
You can use graphite, but I don't prefer it as it can get messy.
@@howardpianoind You're a hero! I just lubricated my middle C key bushings with graphite powder which I already had for lubricating a lock. No piano technicians around unfortunately with Covid lock-down... I was super careful with mess - thanks for that warning! But it's worked a treat. No more squeak! Thank you again for the amazing videos.
That stuff is so incredibly toxic for humans. Alternatives?
Thank for watching! You could always replace the key bushings. We have a video on that as well!