Polyurethane Finishes on pianos

[Farrell]

I can speak of high-end marine varnishes - which would easily be my
preference if going the varnish route. I think you will find good marine
varnishes more durable and harder than those sold for furniture
applications. I agree with most things said below about varnish - only one
coat a day. Big consideration is that each coat needs to be sanded before
applying the next coat. It goes on real thin - so count on at least six
coats - if not a dozen. Most any varnish I have used is expensive - around
$40 per quart and you need a good $40 natural bristle brush. Good varnish
should work well in almost any weather conditions - certainly out on the
water I have applied varnishes during high-humidity conditions and have had
good luck - although high-humidity does slow the drying process down.

I would do a piano in varnish...................for maybe $5,000!

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message -----
From: <bases-loaded@juno.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2002 8:38 AM
Subject: Re: Polyurethane Finishes on pianos


>
> On Mon, 31 Dec 2001 19:32:09 -0500 "sid blum" <sid@sover.net> writes:
> > I would be grateful for anyone's comments on varnish.
>
> Sid, there are so many configuations of varnish, it is impossible to
> answer your query with alot of detail.  However.....
>
>  Generally speaking, the advantages of using varnish are that it is
> durable and very flattering to the wood.   It is low-tech, meaning a
> brush or rag are used to apply it, and it is relatively inexpensive.  And
> there are a multitude of choices readily available at any decent
> hardware/paint retailer.
>
> The disadvantages would include slow drying times, meaning it is
> difficult to keep dust and debris out of the coats as they are drying, as
> well as the time to complete the job is significantly increased when
> compared to spray finishes.  Also, difficulties arise in application when
> there is excessive humidity, so summer jobs in my climate would be risky.
>  The stuff just doesn't dry well if the humidity levels are high.

> Mark Potter
> bases-loaded@juno.com