This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment Why not use maple as your wood? I would try India ink myself. You can = buy it in quarts. Jim James Grebe Piano-Forte Tuning & Repair Creator of Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups, piano benches, writing = instruments (314) 608-4137 WWW.JamesGrebe.com 1526 Raspberry Lane Arnold, MO 63010 BECOME WHAT YOU BELIEVE! pianoman@accessus.net ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Sarah Fox=20 To: Pianotech=20 Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 9:10 PM Subject: Re: black finishing techniques Hi Mark and list, You've got it right, as to what I'm trying to achieve. You are also = right that poplar has almost no grain, which was why I selected it. (I = thought the finish I wanted would be completely smooth, but that would = end up being too much work on a mass production basis. What I noticed = is that the light grain of the poplar actually doesn't look bad -- or = wouldn't look bad if I could find the optimal finish. I'll also be = testing red oak for a coarser grain look. This may ultimately be a = better choice, albeit more expensive by about $2 per frame. I'll be = after a light sheen (satin). I've tried the acrylic latex, BTW, and it = just doesn't look right. As Joe said, it's an experimentation thingie, and I'm in the = experimental stages. I was simply hoping for some advice about = lightfastness and did get some helpful tips off list. (I'll reply to = those shortly.) Anyway, I've got enough to keep me busy for a while, = and I thank y'all for the advice! :-) Peace, Sarah ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Mark Potter=20 To: Pianotech=20 Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 8:49 PM Subject: Re: black finishing techniques Sarah Fox <sarah@graphic-fusion.com> wrote:=20 When I said I wanted to "show the grain," I was referring more to = the thickness of the finish (i.e. texture) than the depth of the stain = (i.e. color). =20 OK... then if I understand you (maybe not) you want the wood = completely black, as in opaque, but you want the surface of the film to = show grain, as opposed to a grain-filled, perfectly flat surface. = Right? Am I getting warm? ;-) If that is the case, it would seem the choice of poplar somewhat = complicates achieving this desired result, despite its many virtuous = qualities otherwise. Poplar has virtually NO perceivable grain - well, = VERY little - so whatever coating you put on there will have to be = mighty thin to show any texture from the poplar. Do you want a sheen of = any kind, or flat, with no build? Perhaps a water-based product will = accentuate what grain there is by swelling the poplar a bit. What about = black acrylic latex paint - one coat, two coats tops, with the first one = thinned a bit? Ya got me! Mark ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/f0/bd/23/ea/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC