Ebony finish

[Farrell]

Wow. That's sure a mouthful of dribble. Mr. Fluke, you are way off base here. I thought Willem's response was thoughtful and constructive. William's addition was also. To be honest, I didn't respond at all to your inquiry, because my initial thought was "who would ask a question like that? - they need to go to a library and read up on refinishing furniture." I didn't want to sound sarcastic. Your original post sounds like you know nothing about refinishing and don't have a clue as to where to start.

I think you may have omitted your 50 years of experience with refinishing in your original post.

Who got your shorts in a knot this morning?

Take a chill pill and rest a while.

Terry Farrell
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gary Fluke 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 3:02 PM
  Subject: Re: Ebony finish


  Willem,

   

  I do appreciate that you have told me to use black lacquer to get an ebony finish.  I don't appreciate your tone and your assumption that I am an idiot with a spray can.  Was it my use of the word "apply"?  Have you had a bad experience with the word "apply" sometime in the past, or do you just assume people are idiots until you find they might not be?  Gee, who would have thought to sand between coats?  Pull the keys out?  Gee, I never thought of that...You are appearing to be pompous regarding a simple little subject.  The tone of your answer has caused the thread to immediately degenerate, witness William Monroe's take regarding how I may be inclined to just spray away all over the strings and who knows what with my can of Rustoleum.  If you continue this behavior, I will consider you to be a buffoon.

   

  I've been applying finishes, such as paint, to things for fifty years and will continue to do so.  I made a living in the Surface Finishing industry for thirty years, both in manufacturing and selling the products used.  I just didn't know which product was used to make a piano black.  If you want to treat me like an idiot in public, I'll call you on it in public, every time!

   

   

  Gary Fluke

  Snohomish, WA 

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Willem Blees 
    To: pianotech at ptg.org 
    Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 10:09 AM
    Subject: Re: Ebony finish


    Gary

    You don't "apply" an ebony finish. To make the piano ebony, it would need to be refinished. The old finish has to be taken off and the wood sanded. Then sealer has to be applied, followed by several coats of black lacquer and clear lacquer, sanding in between each coat. To make sure the lacquer doesn't get on the keys and strings, they need to be removed, and the keybed and strings need to be covered with paper. The hardware should also be removed, and before you put them back on, need to be cleaned and polished. 

    Of course that's for a professional looking finish, You can also go down to the hardware store and buy a couple of can of black Rustolium, and just spray away. 

    Willlem (Wim) Blees, RPT
    Piano Tuner/Technician
    Honolulu, HI
    Author of 
    The Business of Piano Tuning
    available from Potter Press
    www.pianotuning.com

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Gary Fluke <gary.fluke at verizon.net>
    To: pianotech at ptg.org
    Sent: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 7:50 am
    Subject: Ebony finish


    I have a Mason and Hamlin console from 1957.  The walnut finish could stand to be done over again.  These pianos were also available in an ebony finish when new.  How would one apply an ebony finish to my piano?


    Gary Fluke
    Snohomish, WA

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