A440A@aol.com wrote: > > Hmmmm. > > Del says that Steinway boards are finished with varnish over a shellac > sealer. > I have to question this to the extent that most of the older Steinways I > own have soundboard finishes on them that appear to be only shellac,(this > includes four that were built before 1920. > I test with a drop of alcohol, and I have never seen varnish dissolve > so fast. I cannot get varnish to melt with four or five seconds of exposure > to alcohol, and have always considered the soundboard finishes to be > completely shellac. > Are we positive about the varnish?? > > Regards, > Ed Foote > Precision Piano Works > Nashville, Tn I have to go with Ed on this. Within the last year, I have refinished two "virgin" vintage Steinway soundboards, and four of other makes, all built before 1922. In EVERY case the soundboards were finished with only shellac. I have found that the best and easiest way to remove this finish is with alcohol and rubbing. NO SCRAPING or SANDING. A soundboard can be completely stripped in about 20 minutes. To refinish, rub or brush two or three coats of cut orange shellac onto the board. Polish if you must. This finish is quick, easy, and authentic. Reblitz says to add a coat of varnish, but I think this is unnecessary. Most of the vintage soundboards I have seen needed refinishing because of dirt, scratches, and cracks, not because the shellac had deteriorated. It the shellac is good for 90 or so years, why attempt to improve on the process? Frank Weston Frank Weston
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC