Soundboard Refinishing Query

[robert sadowski]

Bill,
      I haven't had much success with paint store type wood bleaches.
Here's the formula - Obtain some hydrogen peroxide that says "50% solution"
on the label. You should also be able to get the dry Sodium Hydroxide from
the same supplier.  Dissolve a small amount of Sodium Hydroxide (about a
table spoon) into a small amount of water - say four ounces - then add four
ounces of the peroxide to the mix.  Wet the soundboard lightly with water
then brush on a coat of the bleach mixture.  You'll notice a white foam
develop.  When dry, you should neutralize the surface with some water mixed
with white vinegar.  Sand and finish when dry.  That's it.  Dark yellow
boards come out looking like new.  Call some chemical supply houses for the
peroxide.

Bob Sadowski
Erie, PA
-----Original Message-----
From: BSimon1234@aol.com <BSimon1234@aol.com>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Sunday, November 30, 1997 5:08 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Soundboard Refinishing Query


>
>Bob Sadowski wrote;
><<This might get a heretical rise out of some of the list members, but
>
>I've been using a 50% Hydrogen Peroxide solution mixed half & half with
>
>water and sodium hydroxide crystals to bleach out those blotches for a
while
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>now with no apparent ill effects.  The boards come out beautiful, like a
new
>
>board.  This is not the beauty supply variety but stuff available from
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>chemical supply houses.  But be careful, this stuff is potent!  Gloves are
a
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>necessity or you'll end up with white hands in seconds.  One application
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>does the trick.  Finish with whatever.>>
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>
>THANKS - now that was the kind of information I was looking for. Will try
it
>soon. Are you sure you mean sodium hydroxide (Lye) - and not sodium
>hypochlorite? (bleach?)  And what about rinsing this stuff off?
>
>Bill Simon
>Phoenix
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