Pro Tip 14: Cleaning Grand Piano Actions

Cleaning a grand piano action gives you the opportunity to reduce friction, realign parts, and evaluate if additional work is needed. This is a remake of a video from a few years ago, with a few changes. There are 16 tips shown, many of which are great time savers. Take note of the extra things you see, because not everything was listed as a tip.

1. Check for stripped screws
2. Use a magnet or grabber to remove screws
3. Place screws in order in a screw holder
4. Lift keys off carefully to avoid BR hole damage
5. Spin punchings as you vacuum
6. Use a brush (and air, if in your shop)
7. Lubricate pins (Protek Prolube adheres to metal best)
8. Notice "side friction" and see that keys slide down on their own
9. Use a brush to clean knuckles and open up the nap to receive powder
10. Use a felt applicator to apply Teflon powder (not fingers)
11. The reason to keep stack screws in order is in case some are oversized
12. Replace angled screws last, corners 1st (unless angled)
13. Use a magnet to insert screws
14. Turn the screw backward 1st to avoid cross threading
15. Never over-tighten screws, but make sure they're firm!
16. Angled screws are last for an important reason!