At 03:07 AM 8/9/96 -0400, you wrote:
>I would like to put the FUNCTIONALLY BEST finish on a soundboard,
>without regard to subtlties in appearance. It may mean less chance of
>cracking, less breakdown of the internal structure of the wood, and
>better tuning stability!
>
>I would like to hear if anyone knows more about this subject, or knows
>of references which contain detailed specs on finishes and their
>qualities as a water vapor barrier. Anybody out there with a background
>in organic chemistry? Anybody made observations that may be relevant?
>
>Bill Bailer
>
>\\\ William Bailer ("Bill")
>\\\ Rochester, NY, USA; Phone (voice): 716-473-9556
>\\\ wbailer@concentric.net (same mailbox as wbailer@cris.com)
>\\\ Some interests: acoustics, JS Bach, anthropology, & education.
>
Hi Bill:
I attended a class in Kansas City with Chris Robinson at the
national in July 94 and his advice after consulting with a wood expert who
came to his shop and analized his work was to use conversion varnish on his
soundboards. It allows the least amount of moisture transfer. I dry the
piano out with damp chasers, top and bottom and then coat the board, rim,
bracing and belly rail with a good coating of the stuff. Sherwin Williams
makes a variety but it is only available at their commerical stores. It
comes with a catalyst and needs to be cleaned up with Xylene. Do not use it
in Aluminum sprayers, it with destroy them.
Rob Edwardsen
21 Courtenay Circle
Pittsford, NY 14534-2101
edwardsn@rpa.net
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