How to Replace a Baby Grand Piano Keys
Piano keys on a baby grand piano, or any piano, can easily deteriorate over time. It most likely happens when a piano is stored away for many years, not so much when it sits in someone's living room for generations. Let's assume you've found a baby grand in storage or in the basement of your home, and it hasn't been played in years. The ivory on the keys is worn away down to the original wood, making the piano uncomfortable to play and unattractive to display. Fortunately, you can restore the keys in one day.
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Things You'll Need
- Regular or Phillips screwdriver
- Stanley knife
- Sanding block
- All-purpose glue
- Set of simulated ivory piano key tops from any piano supply store
Instructions
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Repair
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1
Before removing the keys, open the top of your baby grand and remove the fall board that's located right in front of the keyboard. Take your screwdriver and remove the fall board retaining screws located on the far left and right.
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2
Remove the multiple key slip screws located under the keyboard, including the end lock screws at the far ends. You'll have to lie on your back under the keyboard to reach these screws.
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3
Taking the keys out won't be necessary because on baby grand pianos it's best to keep the keys in place. Removing them can cause complex problems and require repairs beyond the scope of this article.
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4
If the old ivory is still stuck on the key, pry it off with your Stanley knife. The first thing you'll notice with worn baby grand keys is that the glue that was used to adhere the ivory to the wooden surface will be exposed.
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5
Scrape the hardened glue off the wooden keys, using the Stanley knife. This might take some extra time, depending on how much hardened glue there is.
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6
Take the sanding block and sand the wooden key until you can feel the smooth surface of the original wood.
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7
Apply the all-purpose glue to the wood surface and set the new, simulated ivory key on the surface. Let it dry. Reassemble the key slip and fall board.
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