30-01-2017, 05:20 PM
(30-01-2017, 03:17 PM)Nowhere-Man Wrote: Do these piano keys get really filthy ...
Yes they do!
This doesn't just apply to piano key switches but all push button and rotary switches found in radios, etc.
The contacts are silver plated brass and if you consider what a silver pot in your house would look like after twenty years, say, if you didn't clean the tarnish off, you'll have a pretty good idea of what your switch contacts look like!
The contacts are supposed to be self cleaning but even that doesn't last for ever and, of course, if the switch isn't operated for some time - as would appear to be your case - there is no cleaning action at all!
I doubt you can get any of the traditional switch cleaners these days so WD40 might be the only option available to you.
Can you get into the switch bank at all? Could you get to the contacts using a screwdriver blade, for example? If so, with the set switched off, place a small drop of light machine oil or 3-in-1 on the tip of the blade and use it to transfer the oil to the contacts. Make sure you do this for all the contacts on that switch as it is pointless cleaning them one at a time! Be careful with the blade as you don't want to bend or otherwise damage the contacts.
Now operate the switch vigorously for a while before switching the set back on to check for any improvement.
I'm sure that everybody who has much experience of such switches has come across some with jet-black contacts, particularly in industrial areas, which just don't seem to respond to any switch cleaner known to man but there is a solution! First you will need to find a tin of liquid Silvo - it must be the liquid variety and it must be intended specifically for cleaning silver only: the impregnated cotton wool type is no good - and use the screwdriver to put a drop of that onto the contacts. Then work the switch vigorously as before.
Under NO circumstances whatsoever apply BRASSO or similar to any switch contact!
Good luck!
