My sincere thanks to all those that responded to my recent request for
sources of thin cork gasket material.  Now that I have you on the line,
so to speak, I have another question that has been a bothersome issue
for me -- the "shiny or fuzzy side" question.

When replacing leather valve facings, the literature says that one
should not glue down the shiny side of a leather valve facing because
"it eventually will come loose".  Secondly, in case of metal valve
seats, the shiny side and not the suede side should interface with
the seat.

Although my restoration activities are small compared to those that do
it for a living, I suppose, I recently worked on a spare set of Ampico
A expression units, both in a deplorable but original configuration,
as judged by the usual signs.  Besides, their 'provenance' backs that
up; I am sure of that.

The three small valve and lock units as well as the cancel unit had
double suede valve facings, while the valve seats were small metal
flanged buttons.  According to all the current wisdom they should have
had valve facings with shiny sides towards the metal seats.  Not so!

Now what do I do -- be a wise guy and follow current suggestions, or
figure that the original manufacturer had a good reason to do what they
did?  I have seen the same on primary valves of a Heintzman piano with
the Higel metal units.  This also was in an original unrestored state.
So, what is the deal?

Glad to have anyone comment
Albert de Boer