>Hi list, > > I have a customer with an old S&S model K upright. When I walked into her > house for the first time, I saw that it had been “refinished” by being >painted > over with high gloss white enamel house paint. Needless to say, the >action was > shot, a fact which I only found out after having to pry loose all the case > parts. I warned her what would happen to those pretty edges when I separated > the parts. It was just like when you go into an old house to discover the > windows painted shut. It was a splendid time, I’ll tell you. I guess my > question is, who else has seen refinishing like this, and how do you keep a > straight face when you do see it? What should my reaction be, and what is the > best way to be diplomatic about it? > > Ray > Oh yes, that's a good one isn't it. You keep a straight face, and say, " Well, you've painted it white, have you?" They will go on about how awful it looked and how now it blends into the wall and/or matches the furniture. You do have to carefully cut those painted seams open, and if they are willing to pay for it, smooth them down. I had a hard time keeping a straight face and charging my minumum when the sticking keys I'd been called about were simple hanging up on the blobs of paint which had flowed over to the back side of the keyslip. A few minutes of work, and they all worked fine. ab Anne Beetem Harpsichords & Historic Pianos 2070 Bingham Ct. Reston, VA 20191 abeetem@wizard.net
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