Furniture and Furnishings - Care for old piano

I have a piano that was built in 1905. I believe it's mahogany. The finish is very dark, almost black, but the legs (like Roman columns) are lighter, with quite a lot of red. The surface shows a lot of crazing.

Should I be doing anything to care for it? Does the crazing mean that it's drying out? I love the red in it, so if I should rub it down with something I'd like to bring out the red in it, of possible. My father suggested a rub with tongue/tung oil.

Should I touch it (other than playing it, of course!), and if so what should I use and do?

Thanks!

The Crazing is due to variances in heat and humidity. Given time, most finishes will be affected this way.

Don't use Tung oil. The finish is probably lacquer or shellac. Tung oil is not compatible with either.

Cleaning the piano will be a start. Murphy's oil soap, along with 0000 steel wool should remove the accumulated grime. Not knocking your housekeeping, you understand, but the piece has been around a lot longer than you have.

The crazing can probably be removed (reamalgamated) by a professional restorer, but it will be costly.

You can reduce the appearance of crazing to some degree with Turtle Wax Polishing Compound and Scratch Remover form an auto store. Apply according to directions. More than one application may be necessary.

George:

I'm guessing the same is true for my 1920's phonograph. I cleaned it with oil soap and a wet #0000 steel wool; it looks great! Can I wax it with Johnson's paste for wood or something similar to make it shine even more?

Thanks!

Tom

Rather than a pure paste wax, I'd suggest Turtle Wax Polishing Compound and Scratch Remover. It has a very fine abrasive that will remove any remaining marks left by the steel wool.