Epoxy Finish

[Graeme Harvey]

Philip,

We used to run a refinishing shop as a separate part of our piano business.
Piano refinishing was an obvious advantage, however to keep the staff busy
we also did joinery / kitchen work as well. We did some experimental work on
timber benchtops for a kitchen manufacturer client using West epoxy and
others products too. To find something that would stand up to the harsh
environment a kitchen provides was the prime motivation.
The results were quite amazing. This stuff cures to an extremely hard and
durable finish. The first couple of coats were applied thinned to about 50%
and applied wet on wet. This was to facilitate getting the product into the
surface of the substrate. The final application was neat and basically
poured on. Once dry we would sand using a number of grits till it was
finished at 1200, providing a great sheen.
Though this is a side issue the epoxy coatings are out there and have their
uses and advantages too. I have never applied this stuff to pianos, though,
I did try once to strip some off an experimental  kitchen job and it is very
difficult.
I still go for urethane sealers and acid cure topcoats for piano work
generally.

Graeme Harvey
New Plymouth NZ

----- Original Message -----
From: <bases-loaded@juno.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 1999 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: Epoxy Finish


> This is a particularly stupid idea!  It will not hold on loose veneer, is
> irreversible, and is WAY more costly and messy than normal grain fillers
> and sealers.  These guys are Professionals?
>
> Mark Potter
> bases-loaded@juno.com
>
> On Tue, 16 Nov 1999 12:37:26 -0500 Philip Jamison <mortier@netreach.net>
> writes:
> > I made a delivery to a piano refinisher the other day and they took
> > me
> > through the shop. Most of their finishes are with nitrocellulose
> > lacquer. I noticed a nicely carved grand with what looked like a
> > sealer
> > coat and was surprised to learn that it had been finished with
> > epoxy. I
> > don't mean an additive finish like polyester, but regular West
> > System
> > clear epoxy. It's rolled and sponge brushed on, dry sanded, then
> > finished with laquer. I was told the epoxy acted as an excellent
> > sealer
> > and assisted in holding on loose veneer. Seems like it might make it
> > hard for the next refinisher. Anyone ever heard of this system?
> >
> > Philip Jamison
> > West Chester, PA
> >
>