[pianotech] price for fallboard decal

[Paul McCloud]

Hi, Noah:
Are the letters under the finish, or do the letters protrude and are exposed?  Most imports have exposed letters, but there are some embedded under the finish.  The finish was supposed to protect the letters from tarnishing, but they will eventually do so, and there's nothing you can do except to strip and refinish.  Except that they are usually polyester finishes and can't be easily stripped.  If they are exposed, then just use brass polish as David says.  
Paul McCloud
San Diego 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Noah Frere" <noahfrere at gmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2011 7:17:26 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] price for fallboard decal

in retrospect it probably is tarnish. thanks, 


On Sat, Dec 10, 2011 at 3:10 AM, David Nereson < da88ve at gmail.com > wrote: 






On Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 3:03 PM, Noah Frere < noahfrere at gmail.com > wrote: 


Just throwing this out there before I call specific companies. Just looking for a ballpark figure: how much to put in a new metal Schimmel decal on a grand fallboard. The old one is rusty, and it must be done to a high standard. 

Ballpark figure is fine, 

I've no idea, but if it's metal, it's not a decal. Decals are usually of two types: the model airplane type that you soak in water, then slide off onto the model, and the piano type which is "glued" on with the wet lacquer or varnish, then the paper backing is soaked off, and more finish is applied to the decal. 
I've never heard of inlaid brass letters becoming "rusty." Are you sure it's not just tarnish? I would try Brasso applied with a Q-tip, or maybe a Scotch-brite pad or fine steel wool rubbed on the letters with the end of a hammer shank. 
But if they're actually rusty and need to be replaced, that's specialized inlay work. I would call Schimmel. 
--David Nereson, RPT