Question about rubbing a satin finish

[Paul McCloud]

Isaac;
	I have done a lot of work with polyester finishes, short of
complete refinishing.  If you have some scratches, they can be sanded
out and repolished.  If you have a polishing machine, it is so much
easier too.  I've used the liquid polishes with the bonnets, and also
the rouge sticks on a buffer (used on the edge of the buffing wheel).
If you use the proper sanding techniques (see the last couple of Journal
articles by Ruth Phillips), you will have an invisible repair.  
	If you want to turn the piano into a satin finish, it will be
much more work.  The factories usually apply the polyester, rub it satin
with (I don't know what, pumice, steel wool, sandpaper?) and spray with
lacquer.  If you try to make the raw polyester with a satin finish, it
doesn't look so good, so the lacquer sprayed on looks better.
	Don't worry about the gloss finish not looking good.  You can do
it.  Just remember not to sand with your thumb or finger- use a flat,
hard sanding block.  Especially with grits like 400 or 600 paper, you'll
make a dip that you can see after it's all buffed up glossy.  
	If you need more info, you can write me.
	Good luck,
	Paul McCloud
	San Diego


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
Behalf Of Isaac OLEG
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 10:23 AM
To: Caut; Pianotech Mailing list
Subject: Question about rubbing a satin finish

Dear colleagues,

I try to make my mind on the possibilities to rub (machine polish) an
original polyester satin finish, that was not intended to be treated
as that for what I understand (direct final surface from spraying).

This particular instrument have a few scratches I could sand and rub,
but I am afraid that the final product will show rub marks, uneven
reflects, or the kind of unacceptable defects.

So I wander if some of you know a good technique to obtain an
acceptable matt or semi gloss finish by abrasion (or may be with the
help of some finishing product).

I have the tools to fine buff or rub, pastes, liquids, very fine foams
to be used with the polishing machine (abrasive foams 2000 or 3000
that can be used wet), abrasive powders, cotton wheels, and so on.

Any experience with that kind of finish ?

Thanks in advance


Isaac OLEG

Entretien et réparation de pianos.

PianoTech
17 rue de Choisy
94400 VITRY sur SEINE
FRANCE
tel : 033 01 47 18 06 98
fax : 033 01 47 18 06 90
cell: 06 60 42 58 77

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