Refinishing

[Frank Weston]

1.  Unless this customer attaches great sentimental value to this piano,
it's not worth the expense to refinish.

2.  A 1925 anything hardly qualifies as a real antique.  An antique in the
strictest sense would date back to the mid 19th century.  Removing the
finish of this piano with stripper could not decrease the value, and is the
only reasonable approach to refinishing.

3. If the finish is from 1925, it could be either shellac or lacquer.  If
the finish is alligatored, it is almost certain that it is shellac. 
Rubbing shellac with mineral spirits and steel wool will do little except
remove surface grime.  Sometimes rubbing shellac with alcohol and
cheesecloth can restore an alligatored finish, but unless the furniture is
a true antique it is rarely worth the effort.  

4.  If the finish is shellac, the customer could spend as much time as she
wants rubbing with alcohol, raw linseed oil and cheesecloth.  The surface
can be restored a small section at a time, and the customer can supply all
the elbow grease.   Why not test the surface with alcohol, and if it's
shellac, give her this option.  With the money she saves on refinishing,
she can then afford to pay you generously for your tuning services. 

Frank Weston

----------
> From: Stephen W. Stout <sws@pianosrestored.com>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Refinishing
> Date: Tuesday, January 06, 1998 2:16 PM
> 
> I received an inquiry as follows on refinishing the following piano,
> from a customer.
> She has a Brambach 4'-8" grand.  1925 year . The finish is walnut and
> splotchy. Alligatored and cracking. " Prunish", and very "dry" faded
> looking.
> 
> --------------dated 1-6-98--------------:
> 
> "Stephen,
> Before you go farther- it's my understanding that stripping wood
> (especially
> vat stripping) is very bad for it, and that it can lower the value of
> antique
> pieces tremendously.  Also I have read that restoring a lacquered finish
> needs
> to be done with  mineral spirits, cheesecloth and fine steel wool, and
> lots of
> rubbing.While I realize my piano was not in the best of shape, I would
> hate to
> spend a lot more money on refinishing that would actually lower it's
> value.
> Please talk to some antique and piano restorers (not refinishers) and
> get back
> to me.
> Thanks,
> Susan"
> 
> ----------
> 
> 
> I have my thoughts about what "antique" represents here.  Could I have
> some comments from you fellow professionals? So as to pass on?
> 
> 
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