I am working on a 1925 Knabe Ampico upright with the open-cased type
Holtzer-Cabot motor.  As the piano has the customary complement of soot,
moth, and mousey-ness, and as I am adamant that all traces of this be
expelled, I am wondering about something to flush out the motors
interior with.

I am guessing that naphtha would be fine, as it is classified as a
thinner, not a solvent (it will not affect cured shellac or varnish).
My intended method would be to soak the whole motor in a bucket of
naphtha, then rinse with more of the same blasted through the vents
at the windings with a spray gun.  (Then let dry very thoroughly, of
course, and re-lubricate.)

I would appreciate the opinions of some experts on this list as to the
efficacy and safety of this proposal, and alternates.

Gordon Stelter

 [ I'd soak it first in warm water and dish-washing detergent.  Then
 [ rinse and dry it and apply the naphtha for only a short time.
 [ -- Robbie