At 03:07 AM 8/9/96 -0400, you wrote: >I would like to put the FUNCTIONALLY BEST finish on a soundboard, >without regard to subtlties in appearance. It may mean less chance of >cracking, less breakdown of the internal structure of the wood, and >better tuning stability! > >I would like to hear if anyone knows more about this subject, or knows >of references which contain detailed specs on finishes and their >qualities as a water vapor barrier. Anybody out there with a background >in organic chemistry? Anybody made observations that may be relevant? > >Bill Bailer > >\\\ William Bailer ("Bill") >\\\ Rochester, NY, USA; Phone (voice): 716-473-9556 >\\\ wbailer@concentric.net (same mailbox as wbailer@cris.com) >\\\ Some interests: acoustics, JS Bach, anthropology, & education. > Hi Bill: I attended a class in Kansas City with Chris Robinson at the national in July 94 and his advice after consulting with a wood expert who came to his shop and analized his work was to use conversion varnish on his soundboards. It allows the least amount of moisture transfer. I dry the piano out with damp chasers, top and bottom and then coat the board, rim, bracing and belly rail with a good coating of the stuff. Sherwin Williams makes a variety but it is only available at their commerical stores. It comes with a catalyst and needs to be cleaned up with Xylene. Do not use it in Aluminum sprayers, it with destroy them. Rob Edwardsen 21 Courtenay Circle Pittsford, NY 14534-2101 edwardsn@rpa.net
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