Hi All,  Mr. Kim Bunker here from playerpianos.com.  Replacing ivory
keys is really easy!  First of all, if you need to have a source of
original ivory tops and tails, you usually get these from a piano
rebuilder or someone who replaces keytops for piano dealers.  You can
try to get as many as possible, understanding that ivory color varies
in shades.

I've noticed in the 28 years of matching ivories that there are around
nine different shades of white and four levels of quality.  In choosing
the number of keys you wish to replace, think in terms of quality
opposed to number of replacements.

If some of the ivory wafers are still on the keys and badly yellowed
or cracked, remove them.  Be very careful in the removing process;
sometimes it's good to have a steam iron on hand and moistened cloth.
Take the moist cloth and place it on the wafer to be removed, then
put the iron on top of the cloth.  Count to 20 and lift the old ivory
wafer at the front edge with a flat putty knife.  It should come off
relatively easy and don't cut yourself!

Once you have removed the old wafers, scrape the top of key with your
putty knife to clean the white gauze wafer that is under the ivory.
This will insure you have a clean surface when replacing the keytops.
If by chance the white gauze is damaged or gets removed when you take
the old ivory off, not to worry: go to an office supply store and buy
some 'Liquid Paper' (ivory color) and brush it on the wood surface of
the key before applying the new ivory wafer.  The reason this is so
important is because when the ivory is applied, if the key is darker,
it will show up in the color of the ivory.  Remember real ivory is
somewhat transparent.

Now write down the keys being replaced for example: 2-C's, 2-D's,
2-E's, 4-F's, 1-G, 3-A's and 2-B's; the total number of keys to replace
is 16.  The reason that writing down which keys and how many to replace
is so important is that most all ivories are beveled at the back of the
ivory wafer.  For example, all C keys are beveled on the back right
side, all E keys are beveled on the back left side, and so on.

Once you have selected the correct keys for replacement, prepare the
base of the key (the wood part) for gluing of the wafer.  Scrape it
with a single-edge razor blade or your putty knife, pulling towards
you lightly until the top is level.  Then get the 'Liquid Paper' ivory
color; when it dries it is porous like ivory.

The next step is to get some Krazy Glue.  Draw an "S" on the base of
the key on top that has the liquid paper and or cleaned gauze wafer it
will stick, and then carefully slide the proper keytop wafer on until
it reaches the ivory tail.  Quickly wipe off the excess glue and hold
down the ivory wafer firmly for 20-30 seconds.

If you wish to make it level with the tail you can sand the top with
600 grit wet/dry sandpaper with a little moisture (water), until both
sides are level.  Then, using Brasso polish and a soft cloth like
tee-shirt material on a flat surface, polish to your desired luster.

The one disadvantage of using hide glue or Elmer's glue is they are
water-based.  Ivory is a porous material and will warp if you do not
have a perfectly flat piece of metal or wood clamped to it during the
long drying time, usually about 30 minuets to an hour per key.

The process I'm telling you about takes about one to three minutes
per key.  All the materials for this process usually are found in the
office desk and under the kitchen sink!  It is clean and looks like it
was done by a pro.

Here at our shop we have in stock used tails and front ivories.  We
also sell these on a request basis of 3 tails and heads for $6.49
including shipping.  When you are ordering please specify the keys
you wish to order, for example: C, D, E, F, G, A, & B.  Please also
send the exact length of the ivory wafer.

A must for repairing those chipped and worn ivory keys is our own
cyanoacrylate glue (Thin Set), $9.49 per 1 ounce, including shipping.
We also sell complete 52-key "Ivorian" tail and head sets (Medium
Simulated Ivory) with matching new fronts, and our special Ivorian
keytopping glue, with full easy to use instruction manual, for $39.95
including shipping.

Thanks for now and happy keytopping!
Kim Bunker
http://www.playerpianos.com/