Soundboard finishing material - what and why?

[David Love]

I go back and forth between varnish (high grade $30 per quart) and lacquer
depending on how I feel.  If I'm doing a new bridge cap I use lacquer
because I like to hit the new cap with a light spray.  If I'm not I
sometimes use varnish.  I'm moving more toward lacquer for the ease and
quick drying time.  It's too hard trying to keep the shop dust free to work
with varnish.  I don't like using polyurethane ever since I got a board that
had been finished with a fairly heavy coat.  Ever try and scape that stuff
off?  An experience to be avoided.  TKFOS (thank god for orbital sanders).

David Love
davidlovepianos@comcast.net 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Avery Todd
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 4:09 PM
To: spalding48@earthlink.net; Pianotech
Subject: RE: Soundboard finishing material - what and why?

Doesn't anyone use varnish anymore? Just curious.

Avery

At 05:33 PM 8/3/05, you wrote:
>David,
>
>2 coats polyurethane sealer, sanding 220, 320, and 400, and tack, after
>each.  Apply decal.  2 coats polyurethane topcoat, with 400 scuff sand for
>adhesion after 1st coat.  Don't thin the topcoat with mineral spirits or it
>will eat the decal.  DAMHIK.
>
>Why?  I want durable water resistant finish, as much to resist spills
>(yeah, I know they shouldn't spill stuff inside, but 50 years is a long
>time to expect people to behave) as to control absorption from atmospheric
>humidity.
>
>Mike
>
> > [Original Message]
> > From: David Skolnik <davidskolnik@optonline.net>
> > To: pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>; College and University Technicians
><caut@ptg.org>
> > Date: 8/3/2005 10:56:42 AM
> > Subject: Soundboard finishing material - what and why?
> >
> > Apologies for double posting to Pianotech & CAUT.  Some subscribers are
> > exclusive to one or the other.
> >
> > Can someones say what they are currently using to seal / finish
>soundboards
> > and what the pros & cons of this, or any other materials might be?  Is
>the
> > expectation that the finish will reduce the seasonal moisture
> > exchange?  Does the nature of the particular material or the thickness
of
> > application affect the board's physical / tonal function?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > David Skolnik
> > Too hot to go out
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
>
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