New to Forum - Bass buttons sticking !

[BellowFellow]

Hello,
I'm from Des Moines, Iowa and just joined the forum. Have enjoyed reading various posts ! I have an old Wurlitzer Accordion (that has definitely seen better days) that I thought I might try getting into shape for a grandchild. The problem is that I have some bass buttons sticking but I cannot get into the bass section of the Accordion. It seems like it is sealed  - There has to be a way to get into it but cannot figure  it out  Hope to get some ideas. Many Thanks !

 

[JIM D.]

On some of these old Wurlitzer accordions you have to remove the bellows pins and then separate the shell from the bass machine. Your box was made in N.Y. New York . Production stopped in 1950.

 

[BellowFellow]

Thank you Jim,
I gave it a try again and managed to separate the shell. It was tough.. The bass workings are kind of dirty - What could I use to clean them so they will function better? I used to play the Accordion back in my Twenties. Got away from it and decided to get one and start playing during the quarantine since I stay home more now. It's been kind of tough getting back into playing as I'm 73 now and the fingers are fighting me. lol  This old Wurlitzer was one my dad had and I only kept it because he liked to play it. That is why I decided to try and make it better. Anyway, I will quit rambling on - Thanks again Jim !!

Rick

 

[debra]

Thank you Jim,
I gave it a try again and managed to separate the shell. It was tough.. The bass workings are kind of dirty - What could I use to clean them so they will function better? I used to play the Accordion back in my Twenties. Got away from it and decided to get one and start playing during the quarantine since I stay home more now. It's been kind of tough getting back into playing as I'm 73 now and the fingers are fighting me. lol  This old Wurlitzer was one my dad had and I only kept it because he liked to play it. That is why I decided to try and make it better. Anyway, I will quit rambling on - Thanks again Jim !!

Rick

If you are afraid to take the whole bass mechanism apart for cleaning a good first thing to try is to go at it with compressed air. If you have an air compressor (like used to pump up car and bicycle tires and footballs and what not) then (preferably with a long narrow attachment) you can blow out most of the dirt.

 

[BellowFellow]

Thank you Jim,
I gave it a try again and managed to separate the shell. It was tough.. The bass workings are kind of dirty - What could I use to clean them so they will function better? I used to play the Accordion back in my Twenties. Got away from it and decided to get one and start playing during the quarantine since I stay home more now. It's been kind of tough getting back into playing as I'm 73 now and the fingers are fighting me. lol  This old Wurlitzer was one my dad had and I only kept it because he liked to play it. That is why I decided to try and make it better. Anyway, I will quit rambling on - Thanks again Jim !!

Rick

If you are afraid to take the whole bass mechanism apart for cleaning a good first thing to try is to go at it with compressed air. If you have an air compressor (like used to pump up car and bicycle tires and footballs and what not) then (preferably with a long narrow attachment) you can blow out most of the dirt.

Thank you Paul, i guess I am afraid to take the Bass mechanism apart since I would have no idea how.lol  I took your advice and worked it over with compressed air. Some bass buttons do push with more resistance than others - maybe a lubricant would help ?

 

[Dingo40]

Hi BF,

I searched the forum for posts regarding lubricating accordions. The majority opinion was against using any lubricant, especially any oil based lubricant, whatever.
However, one or two would accept a dry ptfe lubricant that wouldn't become a dust trap as per the link below:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/wd-40-specialist-150g-anti-friction-dry-ptfe-lubricant_p6100410

 

[BellowFellow]

Hi BF,

I searched the forum for posts regarding lubricating accordions. The majority opinion was against using any lubricant, especially any oil based lubricant, whatever.
However, one or two would accept a dry ptfe lubricant that wouldn't become a dust trap as per the link below:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/wd-40-specialist-150g-anti-friction-dry-ptfe-lubricant_p6100410

I appreciate the suggestion - might be worth a try . Many Thanks!!

 

[donn]

What's the cause of the resistance, with those buttons?

It seems to me that we use lubricants to overcome friction, which is a concern when there are large bearing surfaces, and/or under significant pressure, and/or the surfaces are of a high friction nature. I'm guessing that not one of those conditions would apply here, if the bass mechanism were in good condition. You'd just be talking about some rods and pivots - small surfaces under very little pressure - so I wonder if there's some GUNK in there. Maybe because someone oiled it, and the oily surfaces collected dust and the oil dried up, and it might take some solvent to clean it. With the bass mechanism out exposed to view, you can see what's stiff, right?

 

[BellowFellow]

What's the cause of the resistance, with those buttons?

It seems to me that we use lubricants to overcome friction, which is a concern when there are large bearing surfaces, and/or under significant pressure, and/or the surfaces are of a high friction nature.  I'm guessing that not one of those conditions would apply here, if the bass mechanism were in good condition.  You'd just be talking about some rods and pivots - small surfaces under very little pressure - so I wonder if there's some GUNK in there.  Maybe because someone oiled it, and the oily surfaces collected dust and the oil dried up, and it might take some solvent to clean it.  With the bass mechanism out exposed to view, you can see what's stiff, right?

Thank You Donn for your reply ! I did finally remove the bass mechanism and after examination believe you are correct about the oil. There is a light cote of oil on the metal backing section. Also some of the rods and pivots are rough because of the oil and and dust/dirt. What solvent would you suggest? I have 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and Mineral Spirits , would that be ok with a QTip?  Like I said before , this old accordion is of no value but thought it would be fun to get working again.
Many Thanks..
Rick

 

[colinm]

I wuld use a soft brush and vacuum suction to remove dust.
Then lighter fuel on a q tip to remove grease and oil and sticky dust, i am told lighter fuel does not leave a residue

 

[Glug]

I use a half inch paint brush (only used for dusting) followed by IPA on a Q-tip.

The paint brush works fine on computer monitors too.

 

[BellowFellow]

I wuld use a soft brush and vacuum suction to remove dust.
Then lighter fuel on a q tip to remove grease and oil and sticky dust, i am told lighter fuel does not leave a residue

Thank You Colin, Appreciate your help !

---

I use a half inch paint brush (only used for dusting) followed by IPA on a Q-tip.

The paint brush works fine on computer monitors too.

Thank You Glug, Appreciate your help !

 

[Tom]

I would turn off the computer and drink the IPA.

 

[BellowFellow]

I would turn off the computer and drink the IPA.

I think you already have !