Plate refinishing, again

[Farrell]

Finishes usually adhere pretty well to metals. The metal doesn't expand and
contract like wood, and the plate is out of the sun/light. IMHO if the paint
appears to be adhering well, DO NOT REMOVE the old finish, but rather just
sand lightly before filling/priming. If the finish is peeling or is in some
other horrible state, SAND it down as far as you need to go (even if you
have so sand all the finish off), then fill (if needed - not likely if you
are sanding lots) and prime. The reason you don't want to use stripper on a
plate is that the bare cast iron is real rough (just look at the underside
of the plate). The manufacturer fills the rought original surface with some
kind of black (at least the ones I have sanded alot) filler. If you use
stripper, I fear the original filler will also come out and you will have
one very rough plate where every square inch needs filling. Stripping? "Just
Say NO!"

I'm curious, where does the term "Gilding" originate, and what does it mean?

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Gunderson" <jgunderson@monmouth.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 9:14 PM
Subject: Plate refinishing, again


> One specific question with regard to regilding a plate;
>
> Is there any advantage (or disadvantage) to stripping the old finish?
>
> Thanks for your responses so far.
>
> John "Hunt" Gunderson,  Belmar, NJ
>