Soundboard refinishing: was varathane...

[David Love]

Thanks Joe:

I have generally stopped at the spar varnish stage.  In the past I have used
shellac as a primer for the varnish.  When I am applying a soundboard decal,
I still use s 1 1/2 lb cut of shellac first as it provides a nice surface
for the transfer type decals I use.  When no decal is available, I will go
directly to the varnish.  I gather that there is no problem putting the
varathane on top of the spar varnish.  I'm curious why you don't use a gloss
finish and then satinize it with steel wool and water since you rub it out
anyway.  I have found that the gloss varnishes tend to be clearer and show
off the wood better even when satinized than do the satin finish varnishes.
I would be interested to hear others' techniques of hand applied finishes to
soundboards.

David Love



----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: January 10, 2002 10:19 PM
Subject: Varathane/David Love ?


> David,
> Varathane is solvent based Polymer varnish of the highest grade. I like to
> use it as it remains flexible as opposed to regular varnish and lacquer
that
> gets very hard with age. I use a satin grade and with the 4/0 steel
> wool/carnuba it comes out with a nice buff sheen.
> Joe
>
>