Hi Martin,
Chiming into this thread late, but with a radical sort of idea. We are looking into this at the moment. Here in Australia you can get a high tech rust inhibitor spray for preserving tools, plane blades, chisels and so on, anything that is liable to rust in various conditions. The product in question makes a very thin resistant film on the metal which is a very effective corrosion stopper. Here’s the link:
https://www.carbatec.com.au/workshop-accessories/tools-and-machinery-maintenance/antimoist-400ml-dg2-un-1950-class-2-aerosol
I am aware this is not available in Europe, but there is bound to be a similar product.
The reason I mention this is that it just so happens by coincidence that we are experimenting with this on strings at this very time. One would normally shudder in horror at the idea of coating harpsichord wire with a film of anti-rust preservative. But this G15 inhibitor appears to make a film so thin at the molecular level that it appears to have no discernible effect on the sound of a string. Our experiments are as yet in early days, but it seems promising. Far better a molecular film than spots of rust damaging a string. It’s very interesting. We have also found it to be very effective for controlling and preventing rust on tuning pins – also a problem with instruments in unfavourable conditions.
Even if putting this on strings turns out to be a completely misguided idea, the purpose of this product is for protection of items in long term storage or shipment, and I see nothing wrong with spraying it on strings and removing it – with sheepwool or steel wool etc – when stringing.
Note that this inhibitor is an entirely different class of chemical to something like WD-40, which I would never in a hundred years imagine putting on strings even though it may inhibit rust.
Andrew
On 16/03/2016, 03:38, "Harpsichords and Related Topics on behalf of Martin Spaink" <[log in to unmask] on behalf of [log in to unmask]> wrote:
Again, thanks all for the feedback. As I will be fitting out a big First Aid Harpsikit with lots of ready-to-go looped spares in all possible diameters and metals, this is a good thing to have happened now, on a small scale. I don't mind a few strings to learn a lesson. Found suppliers for the ziploc bags and silicagel bags, down to 0,5 grms. The sheepwool comes for free. thanks all, I love this forum, that means, all of you!
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