Applying decal - French polish board

[Robert Goodale]

Welcome to Pianotech Larry!

I would strongly urge a rub-on decal, NOT any type of lacquer/varnish decal.
Varnish decals are difficult to apply as it is but I think putting one on in
your particular situation would be a disaster.

I've never applied a decal to a French polish board but I think I would
suggest that you carefully apply the rub-on decal in the typical manor.  I
would then apply several, (perhaps 5 or 6) heavy coats of shellac on top.  I
would recommend that you allow each coat to dry absolutely 100%, particularly
the last.  You may want to allow it to dry a couple days before proceeding.  I
would think that there would be enough cover over the decal to prevent damage
at this point but would strongly urge you to GO SLOW.  If it looks like your
rubbing it thin, STOP!  Let it dry and apply more coats on top.

Good luck!

Rob Goodale, RPT



toto@fovea.pndr.upenn.edu wrote:

> Hello to all,
>
> My name is Larry Toto.  I have been monitoring the pianotech digest
> for about 6-8 months.  I live just outside Philadelphia and have just
> reshimmed, planed, sanded, and french polished the soundboard of a
> Chickering grand (1927).  Wow!  What a finish that french polish
> creates.  It took me a while to learn a decent technique, but mistakes
> are easy to correct with shellac.  The depth of the finish is something
> to see.
>
> My question to the combined wisdom of the pianotech group is this.
> I wish to apply a varnish type decal to the soundboard.  My intention
> is to leave the shellac finish as the only coating of the soundboard
> because the sheen is so beautiful.  I would like to apply the decal
> using shellac. Is this inadvisable?  I have heard shellac loosely defined
> as varnish elsewhere.  I have applied decals using lacquer in the past, but
> thay were going onto lacquered surfaces.  I hesitate to use lacquer to
> the decal only for fear that the sheen will be distinct around the decal
> region.
>
> Any suggests or warnings would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
> Larry Toto
> Elkins Park, PA
> toto@fovea.pndr.upenn.edu