I just finished building new shafts for xylophone beaters.  They are
made from drill rod.  I handled them with powder but I handled them a
lot so they will probably still try to rust.   Since they flex, a hard
finish (Lac), probably won't last long.

I have swabbed piano strings with Hoppe's (gun barrel solvent) which
prevents the rust, but it collects dust and lint.  Any other suggestions?

Jon Guy
Arnett, OK

 [ Instead of steel drill rod, how about a shaft of hard aluminum rod,
 [ which can be coated with a hard black-dyed oxide ("Iodized") by a
 [ local plating shop.  -- Robbie