Plate Finishing

[Rob & Helen Goodale]

I'm not sure about "bevels" unless you are referring to the countersunk 
holes for screws.  I've never had a specific problem with chipping but I do 
often clean them out by lightly running an appropriate size countersink bit 
in them just enough to expose the bare metal.  Then it's like starting new 
with no previous paint to chip.

The best method I use to fill old paint chipping is using auto body glaze. 
I'm not talking about "Bondo" which is generally intended for larger areas. 
Glaze is available through automotive suppliers and is typically in a tube 
found next to the Bondo or similar products.  It comes out of the tube 
resembling tooth past but a little thicker.  Use just a small amount to fill 
the chipped paint areas.  It dries completely in about an hour and then 
sands perfectly smooth with little effort. Following that you can also spray 
the plate with a light coat of sanding sealer and then sand the entire thing 
with 400 grit or higher paper or even steel wool.  When you are done you 
will have a plate as smooth as a babies bottom.  After a couple coats of new 
gold paint followed by a couple coats of clear followed by repainting the 
lettering, I have had results looking better then new.  Once in the piano is 
strung up with new pins and polished or replated hardware it will look like 
a million bucks.

Rob Goodale, RPT
Las Vegas, NV


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jon Page" <jonpage at comcast.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 8:29 AM
Subject: Plate Finishing



> On the last few plates which I had sprayed by the case refinishers,
> I cleaned the bevels before they left and asked them to continue
> cleaning during the spraying. Evidently they can't be bothered
> because now when I use the countersink small chips on the
> perimeter of the bevel appear.> Regards,
>
> Jon Page