Yellowed or Chipped Key Tops: What Can Be Done

Published: 10/6/2026 11:52:18 PM   Clicked: 6

On an older piano, the white keys often yellow with age, and the edges can chip or crack over time. None of this affects playability, but it does affect appearance, and it's something many owners eventually want addressed.

If it's just mild yellowing, that's usually down to material oxidation and prolonged sun exposure. A piano-specific key cleaner and a soft cloth can lighten the discolouration somewhat, but won't fully restore the original white — especially on older ivory or early plastic key tops. If yellowing is accompanied by chipped or cracked edges, cleaning alone won't fix it, and the key tops need to be replaced.

Replacement comes in two forms: repairing individual keys, or replacing an entire set. If only one or two keys are damaged, a technician can swap in matching key-top overlays for just those. But if the wear is fairly even across the keyboard, it's usually better to replace the whole set at once, so the newly replaced keys don't end up looking noticeably whiter than the rest. The process requires precise alignment to the key dimensions, so it's best handled by a professional technician.