How do you subdue silicone in a finish?

[John Ross]

Mohawk has a product, I believe it is called Wax Wash.
That would get it clean, the do as normal for the finish.
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Chick (Earthlink)" <tune4 at earthlink.net>
To: "'Pianotech List'" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 7:06 PM
Subject: RE: How do you subdue silicone in a finish?


>
> Subject: How do you subdue silicone in a finish?
>
> Dear List,
>     I'm trying to put a  proper decal ( not mailbox
> letters ) on the keycover of an 1880 Chickering. From
> the ripples and fisheyes in the existing lacquer, it
> is evident that prior to being poorly refinished,
> silicone-contining polishes were used.
>     I wet sanded ( 600 grit silicone carbide with
> naptha ) the existing finish flat, then tried to spray
> a base coat of Deft lacquer, and it fisheyed all over
> again. So I wet sanded it again, and tried spray
> shellac. Same disgusting result.
>     I'm guessing that several really fine "mist
> coats" of shellac or Deft would have to be sprayed,
> until it creates a seal up over the silicone-permeated
> lacquer underneath. Then decal, then full wet
> topcoats. But I thought I'd ask y'all how you might
> handle this stumper.
>     Thanks!
>     T
> Gordon
> Try washing the "infected" finish with a good liquid detergent like 
> "Dawn"
> for dishes, or a good automotive detergent. Gather a pile of clean, 
> cotton
> rags. Mix 1/4 cup of detergent to 1 gallon of warm water, which is 
> twice the
> strength used for normal cleaning. Wash the surface and dry the area 
> as fast
> as you can.  DO NOT SOAK the finish and let it stand.  Use clean rags 
> to
> wipe off the soapy water.  Use a clean rag as soon as you can feel the 
> water
> in your rag.  Let the piece dry for a few hours, or gently blow it off 
> with
> a hair drier.  Spray with shellac using mist coats.  Build the finish
> without sanding between coats.  When the finish appears full and 
> glossy,
> level it with 320 to 400 grit non stearated (spelling) paper until 
> you're
> happy with the surface.  Now spray another coat of shellac, this time 
> a
> little fuller, so it flows out to a smooth glossy surface.  One coat 
> should
> do it.  Let dry overnight, then apply your decal.  Mist the tops coats 
> of
> lacquer; 3 or 4 coats should be it.  Let dry 24 hrs before rubbing it 
> out.
> Of course you've explained the problem to your client, so they'll be
> expecting a higher charge.
>
> Paul C
>
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