Piano Finishes

[bases-loaded@juno.com]

Hi Arthur -

The PSL does not need or even have a crosslinker that can be added.  The
Hybrid varnish has the cross linker as an option when added durability is
a factor.  It is certainly usable without it.

Regarding using clear over black, it is not necessary, of course, but I
like the way it looks, and besides, how do you seal in a decal properly
on an ebony job without clear coating?  If the fallboard is clear coated,
will not it look a bit different from the case that is not?  I understand
your concerns about touch up, but I have not experienced problems in that
regard.

Mark Potter
bases-loaded@juno.com



On Mon, 20 Nov 2000 07:00:01 -0500 "gutlo" <gutlo@bestweb.net> writes:
> 
> 
> ----------
> > From: bases-loaded@juno.com
> > To: pianotech@ptg.org
> > Subject: Re: Piano Finishes
> > Date: Sunday, November 19, 2000 5:01 PM
> > 
> > Terry -
> > 
> > I have used Target Coatings Premium Spray Lacquer (PSL) on my last 
> 3
> > grands.  I can whole-heartedly endorse it as a great WB finish.  
> In
> > particular, an ebony job I did using their products (black 
> production WB
> > lacquer and 3-4 coats PSL clear gloss) is the best looking ebony 
> job I
> > have ever done, with as litle fuss as you can expect on a job like 
> that. 
> > I rubbed to satin/semi, but am told that, unlike many WB finishes, 
> the
> > PSL also rubs to gloss beautifully.  I found it to be very user 
> friendly,
> > sprays much like NC lacquer, levels well, dries quickly without 
> the soft
> > belly, sands and rubs wonderfully well, and is superior to NC 
> lacquer in
> > durability and mar and chemical resistance.  And the 100% burn-in 
> quality
> > is a real plus, and is not time sensitive.  In other words, you do 
> not
> > have to recoat within a certain window to keep the burn-in 
> effective.  
> > 
> > They also have a finish that is very nice called Oxford Hybrid 
> Varnish,
> > which is easily the warmest looking WB finish I have ever seen.  
> Somehow
> > there is an emulsified tung oil in the finish that really warms 
> the look
> > in a big way.  There is a cross-linker available with this finish 
> that
> > increases its durability considerably.  I used it on an old 
> upright and
> > it really had a nice heirloom or vintage look to it, similar in 
> apearance
> > to an oil varnish, but is a WB and I sprayed it on.  Very 
> forgiving
> > finish and easy to use, but not appropriate when buffing to gloss. 
>  It
> > was probably the quickest route to a good looking finish that I 
> have
> > experienced in a long time.
> > 
> > I think Target Coatings is a quality supplier, and Jeff Weiss is 
> always
> > willing to help out with any technical problems with his products. 
>  Jeff
> > Jewitt thinks highly of Target's products, too, and I have found 
> his
> > opinions to be very trustworthy.  In fact, last time I talked to 
> him
> > (July 2000), he was completely phasing out his use of NC lacquer 
> because
> > of how much he liked the PSL.  
> > 
> > That's high praise.
> > 
> > Mark Potter
> > bases-loaded@juno.com    
> > 
> > 
> > On Sun, 19 Nov 2000 10:48:16 -0500 "Farrell" 
> <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
> > writes:
> > > Well, here I sit boxed into refinishing (or making ill-fated 
> attempts 
> > > to) a
> > > piano again. I am stuck on waterbase. I am eyeing OXFORD PREMIUM 
> 
> > > SPRAY
> > > LACQUER (1000 Series) water-base finish by Target Coatings. Has 
> > > anyone tried
> > > it? Two features it claims attracts my interest: 100% burn in, 
> so no
> > > "witness lines" when flat-sanding final coat and ease of
> > > flat-sanding/polishing - the big one being 100% burn-in. That is 
> 
> > > where I
> > > have had problems in the past. Anyone????????
> > > 
> > > I haven't even started yet, and the desperation & out-of-control 
> 
> > > feeling is
> > > already setting in :-(.
> > > 
> > > Terry Farrell
> > > Piano Tuning & Service
> > > Tampa, Florida
> > > mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com
> > > 
> List,
> 
> Why the need for clear over black to obtain ebony piano finish?  Why 
> not
> straight black, like nc lacquer?  
> 
> Clearcoat over black is a great idea, until you have to touch it up. 
>  Then
> you'll get that "floating" effect, which means if you (or a mover or
> customer) scratch the lid, or heaven help you, the case, you would 
> have to
> spray over the entire area to make a high quality repair.
> 
> PianoLac has the same attributes as the Target coating, plus:
> 1.  No need for clear over black-just rub out the black.
> 2.  A sealer that doesn't raise the grain, has pore filling 
> qualities, and
> can be sprayed as much as necessary to fill the pores with total 
> clarity.
> 3.  Gets its hardness without the use of crosslinkers.
> 
> Beware of crosslinkers.  They are usually isocyanates or aziridines, 
> both
> of which are extremely toxic, even in small amounts.  They are 
> particularly
> dangerous because they are odorless.
> 
> PianoLac is now "ready for prime time."  I'd be happy to help anyone 
> get
> going with a piano finishing project.
> 
> Arthur Grudko  845-855-0996