The Hidden Beauty Beneath the Keys: Why We Deep Clean Every Piano Keybed

At LA Pianos, we believe every piano deserves a fresh start. That’s why we deep clean and service the entire keybed of every used piano that enters our gallery, especially on legacy instruments like Steinway. See below how we restore the soul of each piano, one key at a time.

Before and After Keybed Restoration: A Steinway Case Study

When a used piano arrives at LA Pianos — whether it’s a Steinway, Yamaha, Kawai, or Baldwin — the first place we look is beneath the keys. Often overlooked, the keybed area collects years of dust, debris, and mechanical wear. And yet, it plays a critical role in the piano’s performance. That’s why we’ve made deep-cleaning and mechanical reconditioning of the keybed a top priority in our restoration process.

Let’s walk you through our meticulous process using a recently restored Steinway upright as an example.

Step-by-Step Keybed Cleaning & Restoration Process

1. Initial Inspection & Diagnosis: We remove the entire action and key set to evaluate the condition of the pins, felts, balance rail and front rail. This helps us identify issues that affect touch response and noise.

2. Vacuum & Dust Removal: We start with a powerful but gentle vacuum to remove years of dirt, pet hair, and other debris hidden under the keys and action rails.

3. Compressed Air Cleaning: Next, we use an air compressor to blast away fine dust particles from hard-to-reach places without damaging the delicate surfaces.

4. Precision Lubrication: We apply CLP PROTEK lubricant to key pins and bushings to ensure smooth, noise-free motion of the keys. This premium lubricant helps reduce friction and wear over time.

5. Rail & Pin Replacement: We replace worn out balance rail pins and front rail pins, ensuring perfect alignment and stability. Alongside this, we change the front rail and balance rail punchings to correct key height and spacing.

6. Key Regulation & Alignment: After the hardware is refreshed, we adjust each key individually for proper dip, spacing, leveling, and return speed. This ensures a responsive and even touch across the entire keyboard.

7. Final Cleaning & Polishing: Once mechanical work is complete, we polish the key surfaces and clean the keybed area again to prepare the piano for display or delivery.

This deep cleaning and regulation process is part of what sets LA Pianos apart. Every piano we offer is tuned, regulated, voiced, and cleaned — not just on the surface, but where it matters most: inside.

If you’re considering purchasing a used piano, trust your investment with professionals who go beyond the surface. A cleaner piano is a better piano, and one that will serve your home or studio for decades to come.