my own Soundboard

[Isaac OLEG SIMANOT]

John,

I've seen 'tropicalized' pianos where all joints where bichromated. (and the
case wood too.)

I suggest you wear gloves in all dyes work, as a Friend of ours which is a
voilin maker had BIG health problems because of the products he uses (and he
does not use these Cellulosic laquers !)

Regards.

Isaac OLEG

> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]De la part
> de John Delacour
> Envoyé : lundi 14 janvier 2002 09:37
> À : pianotech@ptg.org
> Objet : Re: my own Soundboard
>
>
> At 9:10 PM -0600 1/13/02, Ron Nossaman wrote:
>
> >TB II contains a nasty yellow dye that stains everything it touches,
> >including my hands. It doesn't wash out of anything, and I tend to
> >be somewhat less than timid when I'm spreading glue. That's it.
> >Personal preference.
>
> That could well be bichromate of potash.  This can also be added to
> animal glue to render it moisture-resistant and is a very old remedy.
> I can't be sure I've ever seen a piano using this additive in the
> glue, but quite possibly some tropicalized export pianos used it in
> the old days for export to very hoy and humid climates.
>
> The only use I make of bichromate of potash is for darkening and
> reddening certain types of mahogany.  Not all types will respond, and
> there are a few other woods that will respond in different ways.
> Given the right wood, there is nothing more effective as a stain,
> since it bites right into the wood and stains it chemically to a good
> depth.  Great care is needed in getting the strength of the solution
> right, since you can't undo things by washing off.
>
> The color of the solution is a deep yellow tending to orange and will
> stain your hands for days.
>
> JD
>
>