[Alan Brinton]

Next Stage – Thorough cleaning, removal of gasket and key stop strips.

The previous photo shows the reed chamber main gasket partially stripped and scraped off. These next three show show the same process for the key stop strips, which are made of similar material.

To some extent these strips can be peeled off, but they are glued in places and easily tear apart. It’s easier to finish the job after soaking for a couple of hours. During the soaking in roughly 1/3 vinegar, 2/3 water, and a squirt of dish soap, the keys are worked over with a toothbrush, and then the same with all external surfaces and nooks and crannies of the inner works of the Pianola. We have to be careful around the reeds.

I have learned from earlier projects that while the instrument is disassembled to this extent, it’s wise to clean everything thoroughly and do whatever else needs doing. Here now, is a comparison between cleaned and uncleaned keys. And then all keys cleaned and views of reed side and key side with remainders of stripping scraped off.

Next up: Replacement of main gasket and key stop strips, to be followed by full reassembly to be sure that further sealing work is necessary, which it almost surely will be.