Automotive finishes <<more>>

[robert goodale]

bases-loaded@juno.com wrote:

> I haven't done this, per se, but I am wondering what is it about the
> automotive finish that you think would make it a more practical and
> workable material to spray in a small shop than the ones formulated for
> wood?

I think my point may have been lost somewhere.  My idea was not replacing
lacquer just for the sake of doing so.  Rather I was thinking about a means
to produce a high gloss polyester look without actually using polyester since
poly is not a particularly practical material for the small shop.  A high
gloss black automotive finish, however, might have a pretty close appearance
to poly, and with an investment in the proper equipment it could possibly
work.  I am NOT intending on doing this with the piano I am working on now.

If there is a practical and relatively economical means of doing this then
used pianos with moderate value, (i.e. studio uprights and medium quality
grands such as '70s & '80s era Kawais/Yamahas), could be "modernized".  Along
with mechanical reconditioning they could perhaps become more marketable and
profitable.

Here is an example:  A beat 20 year ebony old Kawai KG-2 School piano might
have a value of say $2,000, (I'll be optimistic).  If it were restrung, got
new hammers/shanks and a key bushing job, it might get around $5,000.00 with
some aggressive lacquer touch up. We will assume that the bridges and board
are good.  Thus you make $2000.00 after the cost of parts.  Not too bad for a
weeks worth of shop work.  But what if you could spend another week.  Patch
and fill the finish,  seal it and prime it, and then shoot on a couple coats
of high gloss black automotive finish.  Keep in mind that auto shops don't
spend half their lives rubbing and polishing.  These finishes, (if the
surface is properly prepared), come out perfect after spraying without
rubbing.  The finish dries harder than lacquer and would have an "appearance"
of poly.  Now the piano has been "modernized" to compete with the pretty
pianos the dealer has on the floor.  Perhaps then you can sell it for $7,000
- $7,500.  It would be better than a cheap Korean piano for about the same
amount of money.

Okay, so before we get on a tangent on whether or not my numbers are
accurate, the question was: "would this kind of refinishing work?"  Would the
finish turn out as I have described with with little or no rubbing?  Would it
have the appearance as I have described?  It would seem to me that it would
if the surface was properly prepped.  It would also seem to me that the
finish would be more durable than Lacquer.  Not as hard as poly, but harder
than Lacquer.  It would not take as long to apply as would a Lacquer finish
since there is no rubbing involved.  It would look "purdy" and be economical
for a quick turn around on a moderate quality instrument.

What do you think, is this a reality or something that only happens in piano
heaven?  Perhaps if it were that easy someone would already be doing it.  On
the other hand perhaps no one has yet has tried.  Hmmmm.

Rob Goodale, RPT
Las Vegas, NV