[pianotech] plate finish

[David Love]

I just wonder if it wouldn't be easier to figure out a way to duplicate the
texture and then shoot the plate with something similar in color or a
modified copper color which would look good as well.  Or, the counterbearing
area could be easily covered with a layer of felt on top of which you could
set the new brass counterbearing bars.  So that just leaves the area where
the hitch pin array is altered.  Even there you might be able to lay down a
layer of felt through which you could mark and punch the holes for the new
vertical hitches.  It would then look like under string felt even though it
wouldn't be touching the strings.  Seems a shame to have to strip, sand,
and/or fill the entire plate for a relatively small area.  I'm not sure what
to use to try and duplicate the texture should you decide to do that but it
seems like there should be a way.  They obviously use something in the
factory, though it's probably a sprayed on texture.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Ron Nossaman
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 12:06 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] plate finish

William Truitt wrote:
> Hi Ron:
> 
> I think you have answered your own question.  If you can't reproduce
what's
> there in those areas that you know you are going to abuse the plate, then
> they will stick out like a sore thumb.  Unless you want to save the
delicate
> patina :-) of the plate, I say get out the stripper, open the doors and
> windows and strip that sucker.  Sand and prime and go up from there.  Plus
> it will look better. You weren't planning on sanding between the crinkles,
> were you?

No, I was just asking if anyone had refinished one of these to 
a smooth surface, and what it took them to do it. The obvious 
stuff, I've already managed to puzzle out.
Ron N