How do I clean very badly yellow stained ivory piano keys?

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BigToque

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
11,700
0
76
My piano has been sitting in the basement for about 14 years or so without use and the keys are very yellow (some are chipped and cracked as well).

What't the best way to go about cleaning them?
 
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
How do I clean my yellow stained keyboard keys? I don't know why they are stained :(.
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If your semen is of a yellowish tinge - that being the cause of your yellow keys - it could be indicative of an infection.
 
L

LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
5,858
0
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i hear a cheap hack is to use toothpaste on the keys ...rub some on and scrub off. didnt work too wellf or me, tho
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Originally posted by: bunker
How to clean Ivory
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That's assuming the keys are really ivory, which I doubt.

I find that plastic and vinyl stuff in our house turns yellow after a few (like 10) years. I suspect it's from our unvented gas appliances, because nobody, including guests, smokes in this house. I too am looking for a quick fix for this problem.
 
B

BigToque

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
11,700
0
76
Originally posted by: Ornery
Originally posted by: bunker
How to clean Ivory
Click to expand...
That's assuming the keys are really ivory, which I doubt.

I find that plastic and vinyl stuff in our house turns yellow after a few (like 10) years. I suspect it's from our unvented gas appliances, because nobody, including guests, smokes in this house. I too am looking for a quick fix for this problem.
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What type of keys would be used on a piano that was made in 1900?
 
S

Shortcut

Golden Member
Jul 24, 2003
1,107
0
0
Originally posted by: Stefan
My piano has been sitting in the basement for about 14 years or so without use and the keys are very yellow (some are chipped and cracked as well).

What't the best way to go about cleaning them?
Click to expand...

Cleaning stained ivory, huh? =) I hear the crest whitestrips do wonders!
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Originally posted by: Stefan
Originally posted by: Ornery
Originally posted by: bunker
How to clean Ivory
Click to expand...
That's assuming the keys are really ivory, which I doubt.

I find that plastic and vinyl stuff in our house turns yellow after a few (like 10) years. I suspect it's from our unvented gas appliances, because nobody, including guests, smokes in this house. I too am looking for a quick fix for this problem.
Click to expand...

What type of keys would be used on a piano that was made in 1900?
Click to expand...
Whitening and Polishing Keytops
  • Here is how to polish real ivory keytops:

    There are usually two steps to polishing white keytops.


    • 1. You will want to scrape the tops with something. We sell a tool for this, but you don't need it. Use the sharp edge of a knife with a straight blade (no curve in it at all). Hold the knife about vertical to the keytop, and drag it along gently. Avoid chattering-- steady strokes. This will take the worst of the yellowing off. You may want to polish the top with 0000 steel wool after this. Buff lightly and briefly.

      2. Use a white cotton cloth. A "T" shirt with holes in it can be found in most men's dresser drawer on the bottom of the pile :) Dampen an area of the cloth, and rub it on the Ivory Brite, getting some into the cloth. Rub the keytop with this. DO NOT use a power tool. Ivory will scorch if the heat gets too high. Do not over dampen the ivory and the wood of the key lever. Much rubbing and repeating of the process will eventually get the yellow off.
 
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