refinishing-stripping

[Farrell]

Don't mean to step on any toes here Mark, but I have found that Bondo and similar polyester resin fillers commonly available from auto supply stores do not work very well. There can be adhesion problems, shrinking and cracking. I highly recommend West System epoxy resin and hardener with an appropriate fairing filler.

(from the West System web site http://westsystem.com )

FAIRING FILLERS

407 Low-Density Filler
407 Low-Density filler is a blended microballoon-based filler used to make fairing putties that are easy to sand or carve. Reasonably strong on a strength-to-weight basis. Cures to a dark red/brown color.

410 Microlight(tm)
410 Microlight(tm) is the ideal low-density filler for creating a light, easily-worked fairing compound especially suited for fairing large areas. Microlight mixes with greater ease than 407 Low-Density filler or microballoons and is approximately 30% easier to sand. It feathers to a fine edge and is also more economical for large fairing jobs. Not recommended under dark paint or other surfaces subject to high temperatures. Cures to a tan color.

Go with the 407 Low-Density Filler. I have used this stuff many times. Super adhesion and so very easy to sand. Never will shrink or crack.

Try these epoxy products. You will wonder how you ever got your projects done without them.

Terry Farrell

  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <bases-loaded@juno.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 10:25 PM
Subject: Re: refinishing-stripping


> Hi Hazen -
> 
> I would strip the remaining finish off the inside of the case, and  I
> would use grain filler everywhere.  If there remains dents, cracks,
> holes, etc. that the filler doesn't cover, use bondo for those.
> 
> Mark Potter
> bases-loaded@juno.com
>   
> 
> On Tue, 19 Mar 2002 21:24:59 EST HazenBannister@cs.com writes:
> Hi list, 
>  I have a small grand I'm rebuiding / refinishing for a customer.It was
> painted white 
> years back,and the white is in the pores of the wood.I have it stripped
> down to the wood,and the wood is milky looking,from the paint.I have
> decided to paint it black,and was debating on grain filling,versus some
> sort of bondo product.A friend of mine said I would not have to do
> either,as the paint is already in the grain.I have not stirpped the
> inside of the case,and it has some cracks,should I fill it,or strip and
> go from there? 
> Thanks again, 
> Hazen Bannister