Ebony finish

[David Andersen]

Hi Gary. Hi, Wim. Let's remember this is a very cool, formal, almost  
brutal medium; a thoughtless phrase can trigger a volcanic response--- 
and none of that would have happened in a face-to-face conversation.

Gary, chill out. Really. Wim didn't make you an idiot.  Your question  
was this:
"How would one apply an ebony finish to my piano?"
Not what, as you maintain in your reply; how was the question; that  
naturally could lead one to speculate or assume that you don't know  
anything about applying finish or refinishing or anything to do with  
the finish of a piano---hence Wim's response. Relax, take a breath,  
pause, and then respond appropriately, my brother.

Wim, this is a good lesson in 1) not assuming anything, and 2) judge  
not lest ye be judged. Asking questions and gathering information is  
always preferable to assumption in every realm of life. In my  
opinion. <g>

Best,
David Andersen


On Dec 31, 2007, at 12:02 PM, Gary Fluke wrote:

> Willem,
>
> I do appreciate that you have told me to use black lacquer to get  
> an ebony finish.  I don’t appreciate your tone and your assumption  
> that I am an idiot with a spray can.  Was it my use of the word  
> “apply”?  Have you had a bad experience with the word “apply”  
> sometime in the past, or do you just assume people are idiots until  
> you find they might not be?  Gee, who would have thought to sand  
> between coats?  Pull the keys out?  Gee, I never thought of  
> that...You are appearing to be pompous regarding a simple little  
> subject.  The tone of your answer has caused the thread to  
> immediately degenerate, witness William Monroe’s take regarding how  
> I may be inclined to just spray away all over the strings and who  
> knows what with my can of Rustoleum.  If you continue this  
> behavior, I will consider you to be a buffoon.
>
> I’ve been applying finishes, such as paint, to things for fifty  
> years and will continue to do so.  I made a living in the Surface  
> Finishing industry for thirty years, both in manufacturing and  
> selling the products used.  I just didn’t know which product was  
> used to make a piano black.  If you want to treat me like an idiot  
> in public, I’ll call you on it in public, every time!
>
>
> Gary Fluke
> Snohomish, WA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Willem Blees
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 10:09 AM
> Subject: Re: Ebony finish
>
> Gary
>
> You don't "apply" an ebony finish. To make the piano ebony, it  
> would need to be refinished. The old finish has to be taken off and  
> the wood sanded. Then sealer has to be applied, followed by several  
> coats of black lacquer and clear lacquer, sanding in between each  
> coat. To make sure the lacquer doesn't get on the keys and strings,  
> they need to be removed, and the keybed and strings need to be  
> covered with paper. The hardware should also be removed, and before  
> you put them back on, need to be cleaned and polished.
>
> Of course that's for a professional looking finish, You can also go  
> down to the hardware store and buy a couple of can of black  
> Rustolium, and just spray away.
>
> Willlem (Wim) Blees, RPT
> Piano Tuner/Technician
> Honolulu, HI
> Author of
> The Business of Piano Tuning
> available from Potter Press
> www.pianotuning.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gary Fluke <gary.fluke at verizon.net>
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Sent: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 7:50 am
> Subject: Ebony finish
>
> I have a Mason and Hamlin console from 1957.  The walnut finish  
> could stand to be done over again.  These pianos were also  
> available in an ebony finish when new.  How would one apply an  
> ebony finish to my piano?
>
>
> Gary Fluke
> Snohomish, WA
> More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail!

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