We recently purchased an upright piano that belonged to a heavy smoker. To look at it, you’d think it was made of maple, but protected areas inside and on the keyboard cover indicate it was originally white to off-white. The keys are coated in nicotine gook. Murphy’s Oil Soap got the wood a little cleaner, but it would take about a thousand applications to do real good. The keys are just baffling. Does anyone know a good way to remove these stains? Thanks. James.
Hmm. That’s a tough one.
You may try using paint thinner on the wood areas. (Make sure you test in a hidden spot.) In the museum in which I work, it’s one of our favorite cleaning solvents for tough gunk on wood and it does a pretty good job. Dampen an area of a rag with the thinner, then gently rub the surface. Don’t * soak* the surface.
On the ivory keys, you might try a powdered eraser. (It’s a bag filled with a talc-like powder-- you might be able to find it at art supply stores. It’s used for cleaning antique paper.) A white vinyl eraser might work, too, but be gentle, and try to test it in an inconspicuous spot first.) I’ve heard suggestions of using toothpaste to try to clean them, but you’ve got to be ultra careful not to wet the keys too much. They can crack and warp.
It’s really hard to tell from the picture, AND I’m not at work so I can’t read the label on our bottle, but this stuff is great. (BTW even if it’s the wrong stuff, it’s the right brand, and I’m guessing the entire line is very good stuff). Anyways this is what I just used yesterday to clean an office before painting it. Just spray it on the walls and the tar literally dripped off, kinda gross. Anyways this is what I would suggest. Otherwise I would say take it to a place that cleans pianos or restores antiques, someone that knows who it get into all the nooks and crannies, or someone that knows how to remove the keys and get at them one by one.
I really wouldn’t suggest using this product on antiques. It’s a good rule of thumb to always try to be as conservative as possible when cleaning them. Never use harsh or unknown chemicals on antiques-- the results could be disastarous.
Once you have the piano clean, don’t use Pledge-type spray dusting polishes on it. At the museum, we use Swiffer. Spray polishes leave residue behind which builds up on the surface, and, over time, can damage finishes. When it doubt, rub the product on a mirror. If it leaves behind a smear, don’t use it on your furniture.
Ivory is porous and therefore, you need to be very careful what you put on the keys. Suggestions run from using a soft brush with whitening toothpaste to fresh lemon and salt.
Whatever you end up trying, do not put solution directly on the keys. Dampen a cloth with it and be sure to dry the keys immediately afterward.
In general, avoid solvent type solutions because the ivory overlay is pasted on the wood with a type of organic glue that can dissolve and the ivory itself is subject to cracking and warping.
Why not ask for advice at a music store?
There are probably products designed to do exactly this. 