Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Refinishing a piano ...
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09-09-00, 07:11 PM
I had posted an inquiry and someone mistakenly wiped it out.
I haven't been on the net for quite a few days. I see a lot of replys posted in my mail but they are no longer in the site ... so may I try again?
We have purchased a piano for a family. It suits us fine. Somewhere along the way, someone in its lifetime decided to paint it with a woodgrain "look" (go figure). I'm sure there is something wonderful underneath but everytime I think of tackling it, I don't know where to start. Do I have to haul it down to the garage? Do I have to turn my living upside-down? I would love to hear any advice or experience regaarding this project.
And ... I would love to re-hear from anyone who posted earlier. Thanks!
I haven't been on the net for quite a few days. I see a lot of replys posted in my mail but they are no longer in the site ... so may I try again?
We have purchased a piano for a family. It suits us fine. Somewhere along the way, someone in its lifetime decided to paint it with a woodgrain "look" (go figure). I'm sure there is something wonderful underneath but everytime I think of tackling it, I don't know where to start. Do I have to haul it down to the garage? Do I have to turn my living upside-down? I would love to hear any advice or experience regaarding this project.
And ... I would love to re-hear from anyone who posted earlier. Thanks!
09-09-00, 07:47 PM
Anbeduma:
I plead quilty to being human - I goofed. Glad you're back.
If it's not too much of a pain to move, your garage would be the best place. Reworking a piano takes a little time. Assuming you're a working person and could only devote your spare time, you're probably looking at a couple of weeks.
Most older pianos were veneer finished in either (in order of commonality) mahogany, walnut, or oak. There's a very good chance (better than 50-50) that mahogany lies under the faux finish. The only way to find out for sure is to strip it.
Now this isn't as bad as it may seem. I'm assuming this is an upright piano, either full size, 3/4 or spinet, doesn't matter. Before you move the entire piano, take the lower panel (above the pedals and below the keyboard) out and examine it closely. Some of these were veneered both sides. If yours wasn't, you have an easily removable piece to take to the garage and strip to find out what kind of wood you have. This is easy work in one evening.
If you decide you want to strip the entire piano, please come back. I'll take care not to remove this post and I'll be glad to provide you with general instructions on how to safely take apart (as much as you need to)and strip the entire piano (been there, done that).
-----------
with apologies
George T.
I plead quilty to being human - I goofed. Glad you're back.
If it's not too much of a pain to move, your garage would be the best place. Reworking a piano takes a little time. Assuming you're a working person and could only devote your spare time, you're probably looking at a couple of weeks.
Most older pianos were veneer finished in either (in order of commonality) mahogany, walnut, or oak. There's a very good chance (better than 50-50) that mahogany lies under the faux finish. The only way to find out for sure is to strip it.
Now this isn't as bad as it may seem. I'm assuming this is an upright piano, either full size, 3/4 or spinet, doesn't matter. Before you move the entire piano, take the lower panel (above the pedals and below the keyboard) out and examine it closely. Some of these were veneered both sides. If yours wasn't, you have an easily removable piece to take to the garage and strip to find out what kind of wood you have. This is easy work in one evening.
If you decide you want to strip the entire piano, please come back. I'll take care not to remove this post and I'll be glad to provide you with general instructions on how to safely take apart (as much as you need to)and strip the entire piano (been there, done that).
-----------
with apologies
George T.