Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Piano Refinishing

I have acquired a 1930s-era grand piano that I will be refinishing soon.

Here's what I know:

The piano was made by Haddorff in 1935. The soundboard, frame, pins and mechanics are in fine shape, but the cabinet is not so. There are several deep scratches in the mahogany veneer and the finish is worn down in multiple degrees all over the piano. In some places, it is merely rubbed dull. In others, I have a "crackle" effect, where the finish is rough and the wood grain cannot even be seen.

Here's what I don't know:

I don't know the type of finish or how to remove it. I would think it is a shellac or lacquer (from the era it was built), and it likely has some sort of stain. Can that finish and stain be completely removed? What products are best...denatured alcohol? Paste stripper? Sandpaper?

I would like to refinish the piano to look like a nice piece of furniture, and I am not too concerned that it may not have the 1930s-era look when it is completed. I am considering a satin poly finish over a stain or (more desireable) the natural mahogany veneer.

Anybody have experience with this type of thing?

Thanks,

Dave Fremo
Infant Furniture Refinisher

Dave:

You have a task ahead of you - but you already know that.

The finish is probably lacquer. A 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner will give you the best results in removing the finish. Whether it removes the stain or not will depend on the type of stain used. Chances are it will remove some, but not all.

I can not stress strongly enough the piano must be taken apart as much as possible before starting. This is the only way to strip it properly while protecting the action and keys.

Typically, the key (pun intended) to disassembly is the under side of the wooden strip running across the bottom front of the keyboard. This is held in from the bottom by screws. Once removed, more screws and parts are revealed.

If you've neever done this before, use masking tape to label every piece and piece of hardware as you remove it, and draw a sketch to show where it goes. Number the steps in disassembly - you'll do it exactly backwards when putting the piano back together. If it all possible, I would remove the entire keyboard. When I worked on pianos, I had hand made racks designed specifically for storing the keyboard as it lays in the piano.

The interior action should be covered (if not removed) in order to protect it during both the stripping and refinishing process. The keys themselves probably are made of ivory - easily damaged by solvents of any kind - take care.

Drop back by with a progress report, or any other questions you may have.