Making sharps look sharp reply

[pianoman]

Hi Phil,
	It sounds to me like the first thing you should do is strip of all the
different stuff you have on them and start over with some spray can lacquer
sealer and your choice of flat, semi or gloss black lacquer. The trick is
to spray enough each time but not so much that it runs.  Light coats are
always better than heavy coats and then have patience. Several coats of the
black and let dry over night and rub out with synthetic steel wool. 
Sometimes you just have to start over again.
James Grebe
R.P.T. of the P.T.G.
 St. Louis, MO.
Competent Service since 1962
 Do what is right and do no harm
 Creator of  Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups and Practical Piano  Peripherals

pianoman@inlink.com        

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> From: Phil Ryan <pryan2@bellsouth.net>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org; pryan2@bellsouth.net
> Subject: Making sharps look sharp
> Date: Thursday, September 10, 1998 10:03 PM
> 
> Dear list,
> 
> Has anyone a method of restoring (painting) a set of sharps that is in
> good condition, but the black paint has worn off?  I've sprayed  them
> three times with thee different  cans of black enamel from the hardware
> store, but am not happy with the results- streaks, drips, runs,
> roughness etc. when they dry. (They look good when the  paint is wet).
> I've sanded and/or steel-wooled between coats.
> 
> Is there a specific brand of paint I should be using?  Power sprayer?
> primer? brush?  The piano is not worth the effort of replacing the
> sharps, but maybe it would be good experience...hmm
> 
> Any thoughs on the subject would be appreciated.
> 
> Gratefully,
> 
> Phil Ryan
> Assoc. PTG
>