Elmer's Slide All -- Never again for me!

[Alan Lenhoff]

The archives here are full of posts about people using Elmer's Slide All to lube felts on Rhodes pianos.  Some posters, including some highly experienced techs, have endorsed its use, while others have wondered whether it is safe to use around plastics.

Last night, I made the mistake of spraying some Slide All into the key bushings of my Rhodes bass. Some of it dripped down to several keycaps, where it caused some melting of the plastic. 

(I was able to fully repair the damage with some 0000 steel wool and plastic polish, so at least no permanent harm was caused.  But the damage really surprised me, after reading all the endorsements.)

I've used Slide All on two other Rhodes pianos I've owned, with no problems.  Don't know if I was just more careful in those cases, whether Rhodes keys of some vintages stand up better to the stuff than those built in other years -- or whether the Slide All spray has been reformulated with a new carrier.

But my view is: Why take a chance?  Next time, I'll use nothing but Protek lube or Teflon powder.

Alan

[David Aubke]

I too am going to get some teflon powder for my next job. In addition to its potential for damage to plastic, I'm concerned about it loosening some glues.

[pianotuner steveo]

Protek is the best choice, but not everyone has access to it. It is made for piano use.My biggest concern with slide all is the fumes. They make me gag. My second concern is melting plastic. I don't remember if slide all will loosen glue, but too much protek can loosen felt glue in some cases.
I think too much slide all can loosen felts also.

[David Aubke]

http://www.amazon.com/Protek-CLP-Lube-Oz-Bottle/dp/B007O3SNO6

The internet sells to all comers.

[Alan Lenhoff]

Or here, at a better price, and with lots of other piano supplies available:

http://www.vandaking.com/s-1406-protek-lubricant.html

[Alan Lenhoff]

Just looked at the Slide All can:  "Contains Acetone." 

[pianotuner steveo]

That Amazon price is high. Its about double the wholesale cost to tuners.

[coolest1]

panic on Elmer street?

[Chris Carroll]

I am not sure why anyone would lubricate the Pedestal felts on a Rhodes? If you have a proper bump mod Like the Miracle Mod there is no need for lubrication.   The point of which you would even want lubrication on a felt is small, anything more will interfere with stop block or braking of hammer. Keeping pedestal felts clean and having all of your incidentals properly regulated is much more important.
Lubrication for key pins, damper rail pins, sustain pedal etc good- Lubrication for pedestal felts is questionable in my book- Lubricated felts attracts dust dirt and leads to a grimy pedestal.

[David Aubke]

Certainly lubrication of felt at points of friction is standard practice in piano maintenance, is it not? There are lubricants available that do not attract moisture or dirt. I don't understand how the lubricant could affect the stop-lock mechanism. It does not rely on friction.

[David Ell]

I am not sure why anyone would lubricate the Pedestal felts on a Rhodes? If you have a proper bump mod Like the Miracle Mod there is no need for lubrication.   The point of which you would even want lubrication on a felt is small, anything more will interfere with stop block or braking of hammer. Keeping pedestal felts clean and having all of your incidentals properly regulated is much more important.
Lubrication for key pins, damper rail pins, sustain pedal etc good- Lubrication for pedestal felts is questionable in my book- Lubricated felts attracts dust dirt and leads to a grimy pedestal.

I know this is an old post but I am new here and catching up. The *right* lube on a felt is ok. It's not a stop lock problem. The reason it's a good idea is cam protection. The white cams even more so. Unlubed felts yeild worn cams no question. First you get what looks like dripping paint, then melted wax. I wouldn't use it fully on V.V. felts. That adheasive can't handle it. BUT, one or two drops right on top of the bearing point of the miracal mod does wonders. Someone brought me a Rhodes with a miracal mod he just did, complaining that it helped (he had done it right) but still felt too stiff. A couple of drops of my special non corrosive lube did the trick. Right on top of the bump and it was wonderfull.