A thought occurred, and since it happens rarely will share it for what it's worth. Ebony is an oily wood, some types of finish will not adhere/cohere to it. Don't know about the original problem but the flaking might be due to the past use of one of these. Fran Helms Helms Tuning & Repair Topeka, Ks. >>> "James Grebe" <pianoman@accessus.net> 1/12/2005 6:35:57 AM >>> They do that because they THINK ebony is black, when it is not. It is a very dark brown with waves of black in it. There are also different trees with the ebony name. I, a few weeks ago. used some wood called Texas Ebony to make one of my pens. It is even lighter brown than the regular ebony. Jim James Grebe Piano-Forte Tuning & Repair Creator of Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups (314) 608-4137 www.JamesGrebe.com 1526 Raspberry Lane Arnold, MO 63010 BECOME WHAT YOU BELIEVE! pianoman@accessus.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Terry" <terry@farrellpiano.com> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 5:08 AM Subject: Re: Sticky ebony keytops revisited > Why do people cover beautiful exotic ebony wood with a thick layer of > black > paint? Why not a finish that lets the color and texture show through? > > Terry Farrell > > >> I would soak them in lacquer thinner and then either >> stain them with shoe dye, or finish them in several >> coats of epoxy-type lacquer ( appliance finish ) and >> rub gently with steel wool to a satin finish. >> Thump >> >> >> --- David Ilvedson <ilvey@sbcglobal.net> wrote: >> >> > I wonder if someone could have finished the sharps >> > in the past with something like tung oil and it >> > never quite hardened... >> > >> > David I. >> > >> > >> > >> > ----- Original message >> > ---------------------------------------- >> > From: Bec and John <bjsilva001@comcast.net> >> > To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> >> > Received: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 16:57:17 -0500 >> > Subject: Sticky ebony keytops revisited >> > >> > >> > >Hi, >> > >> > >For those who may remember my postings a while back >> > on my ebony keys >> > >being sticky when the weather is humid, I have some >> > more on that issue. >> > >I did end up sanding them, which improved the >> > situation quite a bit. >> > >However, there are still some issues. >> > >> > >For one, I've been noticing small black "chips" >> > that show up on the >> > >ivory keys while I'm playing. They blow off, so >> > it's not an issue. But >> > >I'm confused how after all this time I'm still >> > getting them, and >> > >wondering what caused them in the first place (I >> > don't recall seeing >> > >them before sanding). >> > >> > >When I clean the ebony keys with a damp cloth, it >> > is still is picking >> > >up something from the keys - the cloth becomes a >> > very light brown after >> > >going over only half the keys. >> > >> > >I'm afraid to keep sanding them since I don't want >> > to sand too much of >> > >the key away. Is a better solution to just replace >> > them? Is the quality >> > >of ebony nowadays as good as when the piano was >> > made (1925)? >> > >> > >Thanks. >> > >> > >- John >> > >> > >_______________________________________________ >> > >pianotech list info: >> > https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > pianotech list info: >> > https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >> > >> >> >> >> >> __________________________________ >> Do you Yahoo!? >> Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. >> http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250 >> _______________________________________________ >> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >> > > > _______________________________________________ > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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