Finishing soundboard under/backsides

[gordon stelter]

List,
     I work on a  lot of old uprights with revoltingly
filthy soundboard backs. As these are usually
shellacked, I just fill my spray gun with lacquer
thinner and, outside on big pieces of cardboard from
the furniture store, blast away, usinga  bottle brush
to get behind beams, into corners, etc..
     Of course I wear a gas mask gloves and goggles.
     As the back is hard to brush finish neatly, I
spray on epoxy varnish from cans.
     Amnyone have better ideas?
     Thump


--- ANRPiano@aol.com wrote:

> List,
>  
> This has been quite an active question.  I am gone
> most of the day and  come 
> back and find dozens of comments.
>  
> I will try to fill in the blanks and answer the
> questions posed.
>  
> On the question of stability, I will not even try to
> explain that which I  do 
> not understand. However, when the new Fazioli dealer
> was opened in Chicago I  
> had an opportunity to have some conversations with
> Mr. Fazioli.  One  
> particular area of extensive attempted conversation
> (we were battling accent,  
> language and noise) was the finishing of his
> soundboards.  I was able to  gather in 
> a general sense that he uses a finishing material
> which significantly  reduces 
> the movement of moisture in his soundboards.  In
> conversations I  have had 
> with David Graham, who maintains these gems, he has
> told me of their  remarkable 
> stability.  Certainly we can't prevent moisture
> movement in wood  (I doubt 
> that would such a good idea anyway), but we can slow
> the rate and thus  flatten 
> out some of the swings the soundboard experiences.
>  
> All of the soundboards I have applied epoxy to have
> had crown, flat boards  
> get replaced.
>  
> I use System Three Epoxy.  The surface condition is
> usually pretty  rough 
> after drying and I sand it and coat it with lacquer
> and rub it out to a  satin 
> (usually) finish.
>  
> I have thought about coating the underside, but have
> never under taken this  
> task.  Maybe next time I will see if I can notice
> any appreciable  difference 
> (besides the extra time).
>  
> I have never warmed the epoxy to improve flow, but I
> think I will try that  
> the next time.
>  
> I have been debating with myself over the wisdom of
> using epoxy as a sealer  
> on a new soundboard.  Any thoughts on this?
>  
> I hope that helps some.
>  
> Andrew Remillard
> 



		
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