Ebony finish

[Gary Fluke]

Willem,

Thank you for your comment.  I can see how this got out of hand; David Anderson has a good take on it.  This would probably never happen in a face-to-face conversation.  Heck, you are probably a nice guy.  I have assumed that people on this list are of a technician level, due to the nature of the sponsor of this list, so I expected to be treated as such.  I apologize for not giving you the benefit of the doubt.


Gary
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Willem Blees 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 8:31 PM
  Subject: Re: Ebony finish


  Gary

  I'm sorry if I offended you. I didn't answer the question as if you are an idiot, but there are some techs on this list serve who are very inexperienced, and there are even non-techs who know virtually nothing about finishing. I had no way of knowing you have 50 years of experience. But the way you asked the question made it appear you did not know what you are doing. If anything, I guess I should have put a smiley face after the Rustolium remark. But for you to blast me for giving a very elementary answer to an elementary question, which you took offense to, is way out of line. If it offended you, again, I'm sorry, but maybe the next time you can ask the question in a more intelligent way.  

  Willem (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 List <pianotech at ptg.org>
  Sent: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 10:02 am
  Subject: Re: Ebony finish


  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

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