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What should I use to clean my piano case?
12 November 2019, 08:54 PM
ShiroKuroWhat should I use to clean my piano case?
My Yamaha C2's case is polished ebony -- isn't that a polyester finish? So, it should be fairly durable, but probably not indestructible, right?
My tuner said to use Windex and a soft cloth, but I'm thinking I've read *not* to use Windex?? I don't want to scratch it, nor do I want to make it cloudy. I also don't want to buy some expensive fancy polish if it's not needed.
If Windex is really the thing to use, I already have some and can use that. But, is it the thing? Also, what do you recommend for the cloth? Somehow it seems like all our cleaning cloths these days are that microfiber kind, but I feel like a more traditional cotton rag would be better. Why do I not have any of those?? :P
I am embarrassed to say that I haven't cleaned the case since I got it, and the curved side of it needs to be cleaned. I noticed it when I first bought it, but the position it's in right now you don't notice it. So I kind of forgot about it.

But the piano will be repositioned on Thursday (yay!) and the curved side will be much more noticeable.
TIA for any advice!
12 November 2019, 09:48 PM
Steve MillerI might try something like Endust. I doubt it’s really dirty unless it’s sitting in the kitchen.
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Life is short. Play with your dog.
12 November 2019, 10:44 PM
CHAS Piano Buyer
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Several people have eaten my cooking and survived.
13 November 2019, 12:27 AM
rontunerI like a good microfiber cloth...
Determine what you want to get off the finish - is it fingerprints, or something else?
Cory products are great, but I most often use a glass cleaner cut with water for poly finishes. Use one cloth damp and another dry if you've got marks that just a dry cloth alone won't shine.
Most of the time breathing on the offending spot and then rubbing with the microfiber cloth gets the shine back just fine...
13 November 2019, 02:11 AM
RealPlayerI don't have polished ebony; mine is a matte black finish (it has a name I can't remember). It was recommended to use nothing harsher than cheesecloth, maybe breathing on the surface to create a bit of moisture first. But this was in the days before microfiber, and the microfiber seems to work fine, even slightly dampened.
But your finish may be different.
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“It's hard to win an argument with a smart person. It's damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person." -- Bill Murray
13 November 2019, 12:03 PM
NinaI don't think you actually need to "clean" your piano, but most likely just dust it. Microfiber works great for that.
Watch out for Windex and other glass cleaners. What you want to avoid are those that contain ammonia--not sure if Windex does or not. But even if you use a cleaner like this (non-ammonia type), probably best to spray it lightly on the microfiber cloth and clean it that way.
My 2c!
13 November 2019, 12:30 PM
Piano*DadMine is a polyester surface. I've always used Cory piano polish. Works just fine (at getting the paw prints off).
13 November 2019, 12:44 PM
ShiroKuroquote:
Determine what you want to get off the finish - is it fingerprints, or something else?
It's not just dust. I think what needs to be removed is probably "smudge of dog"

The sellers had two doggies, one was a type of poodle I think, charming doggie, both Mr. and I grew to love that dog over the several visits we made to see the piano. But his head was about the right height for where there are smudges all along the curved side of the case. The piano was in the sellers' home office, which was both sort of dark and also full of cabinets and office stuff, so I didn't notice the smudges until I got the piano into my house. Since that side wasn't very noticeable, I hadn't done anything about it until now.
Based on when I tried rubbing one of the smudges with my finger as far as I can tell, the smudges will come off pretty easily. But I do think it needs something more than just a dry microfiber cloth.
I'll see what's in our Windex, and if it's ammonia-free, maybe I'll cut that with water, or else maybe I'll get some of the Cory's, it looks like you can get it through Amazon prime.
Thanks y'all! I'm so excited to get the piano moved and see how it looks and sounds re-positioned. It's almost as exciting as when I first got it!

13 November 2019, 01:57 PM
piquéCory and a fine microfiber cloth is the best. Cotton will scratch.
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fear is the thief of dreams
13 November 2019, 02:27 PM
LLquote:
Originally posted by rontuner:
I like a good microfiber cloth...
Determine what you want to get off the finish - is it fingerprints, or something else?
Cory products are great, but I most often use a glass cleaner cut with water for poly finishes. Use one cloth damp and another dry if you've got marks that just a dry cloth alone won't shine.
Most of the time breathing on the offending spot and then rubbing with the microfiber cloth gets the shine back just fine...
''Tis what I do...
Or just a damp micro cloth followed by a dry one.
Dry Kitty paws on keyboard cover at times.
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The earth laughs in flowers
13 November 2019, 02:30 PM
ShiroKuroquote:
Cotton will scratch.
Oh, good to know, thanks!!