Hi,
My piano tuner has come a few times because of nasty squeaks when I push the keys. I've seen him taking apart the action and then using a small bottle with a long needle-type thing oilf the "joints" it seems a very easy thing to do and he kind of show me how to do it. He didin't tell me though where I can find the bottle with the needle thing and what kind of oil... any advise on that?

You need to know your piano, and exactly what lubricant to use in different places. He's using a special lubricant, not generally available. Using the wrong lubricant can cause serious problems, requiring replacement of the felt in the keys.

I'm all in favor of educating piano owners -- I have many resources on my own site -- but there are some repairs that a non-technician should not do. WD-40 and graphite can make a big mess.

--Cy--

Cy, you HOPE he's using a 'special lubricant'. There are plenty of incompetents out there using inappropriate stuff.

Aureliano, NEVER use oil. The proper substance is a Teflon-containing substance that is made for piano tech work and sold through piano tech catalogues. It contains no oils, silicones, or petroleum products. The precision applicators are often sold as "precision oilers" and they are in piano tech catalogs but I have seen them in some hardware stores and hobby shops as well.

Personally, I can't think of any 'squeaks when the key is pushed' that would be properly resolved by squirting liquid lube. It might well solve the problem temporarily by hiding it, but it's not really the solution. Where is he applying this "oil"??

What kind of piano? And how old?

Dale Fox

2 year old essex. Humidity was causing squeaks when I hit the pedal and a few keys. the technician applied this lubricant by I didn't know what it was...

Essex is a Young Chang product if I remember correctly. If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will chide me without mercy. Young Chang has had for a long time a problem with rough nickel plating on their key pins and sometimes glue contamination on the key pin side. As the key is depressed the bushing cloth will play the balance rail pin much like drawing a bow over a wire on a violin. A drop of Protek lube on the balance rail bushing will often rectify the squeak at least temporarily. I have tried to buff the key pin (balance rail) with limited success. The pedal related squeak is usually related to the pedal rod guide block bushing either having a little glue contamination on the inside of the bushingn or the rod going through the bushing at an angle (noy parallel to the hole) causing a rub related groan/squeak. Heavier bodied lubricant may be needed for this noise though Protek or powdered teflon will sometimes suffice. Expect both noises to recur after some period of time.

Dale Fox RPT

Thanks for the tidbit, Dale. I have been dealing with similar squeaks where the damper lever felt has glue soak-through and the spoon squeaks against it. The damper lift rod for the sustain pedal squeaks in the same way.

I have used Protek gel form (MPL-1) so far, but don't know yet how long it will last.

Hi,
I thought Essex was a Steinway & Sons product... I guess it is designed by them -it has and engraving inside that says Steinway- but I don't know anything about Young Chang... I'm new in the piano world.
So is this Protek lube the stuff my technitian puts on the the squeaky wood parts? In this case is a damper that is squeaking!...

another question, there seem to be different types of protek lub available. Which one is the best for squeaky dampers? and what for pedals?
and lastly which web site do you recommend?