Regarding the recent discussion about polyester repair;
Are the materials toxic? I've sometimes thought about learning to repair
polyester, but I wonder if there are negative health consequences to working
with the material.
David Weiss
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Paul McCloud
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 8:04 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Additional Business Building Ideas (Besides YP)
Hi, Richard:
As with anything, you need to get your feet wet. Get a
damaged polyester piece, order the polyester from Ruth Phillips along with
the repair kit, and just follow the directions. The procedure is not
difficult, but things don't always turn out due to the nature of mixing
small quantities of polyester. Temperature and humidity affect the curing
of the material. Bubbles, voids, and other frustrating things happen, so
sometimes you have to do it over. I've been doing poly repairs for about 20
years, and I still have some unexpected results. But I know what to do, no
matter what happens. Begin with the black color, which is very forgiving.
If you have a wood color (clear or tinted polyester) you are more likely to
have color matching problems because the wood is sealed under the thick
material. There is no way to recolor (accurately) the repair so it can't be
seen. It's like encapsulating something under glass.
Ruth Phillips often teaches a class in polyester repair that
is very helpful. You will learn a lot by doing the repair, and you'll see
it isn't as hard as you might think. It can be a little messy. Just don't
spill the stuff (especially the dyes and pigments) on the carpet.
You will be investing some money in materials and buffing
machinery. You can do a lot of repairs by hand, but a buffer will broaden
your range of repairs immensely. There are many ways to go with the
machines, and it depends upon how much you anticipate doing repairs.
Believe me, you can make at least as much doing this as tuning and repairing
pianos. Everything you invest will pay for itself in a short time. But, it
does take time to be able to make consistent repairs in all kinds of
situations.
If you have more time than work, and some time and funds to
invest (between $500 -1000.), you can get set up. The hardest part is
making the dam so the polyester doesn't run out. There is a jellied
polyester that they sell which will stay put, but it's hard to use and
messy, and the mixing of the color is sometimes uneven.
The bottom line is, anybody can do this. The key is
following the directions exactly. With the right materials, the right
machinery and the right techniques, you will have a skill that is
profitable and needed by virtually every dealer in the world.
Good luck.
Paul McCloud
San Diego
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Richard Gullion
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 1:56 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Additional Business Building Ideas (Besides YP)
How hard to get good at poly repairs...any ideas on practice...info etc...I
have had several dealers ask me about it...but didn't give much
thought...maybe I should.
Richard the "Piano Guy"
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Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:51:10 -0500
From: behmpiano at gmail.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Additional Business Building Ideas (Besides YP)
Wim - I think the polyester repair idea is a winner, as far as adding to
your business, especially if you would be the only provider available.
Here in Iowa, if I go 20 miles in any direction (as the crow flies, and let
me tell you, we've got a lot of those) I would be in the middle of a corn
field (or possibly soybeans).
By the way, when you lived in St. Louis did you ever visit the Twin
Cities of the South - Festus and Crystal City - just south of St. Louis?
That's actually where I first started tuning before we moved to Boone. Chuck
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