Harsh as this may sound, I know a piano technician in California that
has a sandblasting booth in which he uses glass bead media, apparently
of a granularity as to not give parts "the driftwood look".

I was utterly amazed (and cringing all the while, fearing the worst!)
when he took a set of filthy-looking keys, put them inside this thing,
"let them have it", and out came some of the most brand-new looking
keys, no worse for wear, that I've ever seen.  I know he uses it for
metal parts also, such as screws and action parts.

This guy does world-class work and has some of the most beautifully-
restored pianos I've ever seen.  He commands high prices for his work,
and I daresay his market wouldn't last long if his technique wasn't
acceptable.  It won't be long before we have our own outfit to do the
same thing, except for pipe organ parts!

Just adding something else to this pot to stir around. . .

Faithfully,

Richard Schneider, Schneider Pipe Organs Inc.
Post Office Box 137
Kenney, IL   61749-0137
(217) 944-2454 VOX, (217) 944-2527 FAX