Varnish--Hard finish vs Soft finish

[Murray Seminuk]

Hi John
Thanks for your post on varnishing your soundboards.This method is not that
far off the method I have used on soundboards and violins.The question I
have is about doing the hand rubbing in the final finishing.On a violin I do
this to take off the real glossy look ,to give the finish a softer and a
less "new look".This is done with pumis or rottenstone and oil.I have not
wanted to acheave the same results on a soundboard,wanting a smooth and
glossy finish and acheiving it without rubbing.I no  longer have your post
in which you gave the meanings of the terms that you are using ,so I hope I
am understanding you correctly.
-----Please send your method of varnishing a violin.

Murray
 Original Message -----
From: "John Delacour" <JD@Pianomaker.co.uk>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 2:22 PM
Subject: Re: Varnish--Hard finish vs Soft finish


> At 10:54 AM -0600 1/12/02, Don Rose wrote:
> >Hi JD,
> >
> >It is interesting to note that the Strad violins finish is *still*
flexible
> >and will take an imprint of a finger after 300 years. Just a case of
> >different strokes for different folks eh?
> >
> >At 04:17 PM 01/12/2002 +0000, you wrote:
> >>
> >>For several years now I have used the same method on every piano.  My
> >  >aim is to get a hard mirror finish as thin as possible on the board.
>
> When we get to a discussion on varnishing fiddles, I'll give you my
> recipe for that!
>
> JD
>
>