Plate refinishing and agraffe replacement

[John Ross]

Hi,
The new cast iron plates, other than the Yamaha style, vacuum plates
will have a porous surface with a few blemishes. This is the nature
of a sand mould, and the plate being poured.
If you sand blast back to this, you will get the original imperfections.
I have heard of a term called japanning, and my understanding is,
that to cover the imperfections, they build up layers of lacquer or
varnish, then put on the finish coat. If you happen to chip the bronze,
this is what you see, is the black japanning.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
piano.tech@ns.sympatico.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian Trout" <grandrestorations@yahoo.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 3:20 PM
Subject: Plate refinishing and agraffe replacement


> The plate refinishing thread has been interesting. 
> And someone briefly brought up this question earlier
> and I didn't recall that it got answered.  Thought I'd
> run it past you again.
> 
> When refinishing a plate, do you have a particular
> method of doing a nice job around the agraffe area? 
> 
> I've heard of people finishing the plate with the old
> agraffes in place and then putting in new.  I've heard
> of people refinishing the plate without the agraffes
> in.  I've even seen people spray the plate including
> the agraffes with the bronze.  (My own personal taste
> likes to see those nice shiny brass agraffes.)
> 
> And... since I can't remember of anyone bringing this
> one up before, at least not at any length, (forgive me
> if I missed it), I'd like to hear some of your
> thoughts on the matter.  I know it seems like a pretty
> basic question, but I have a feeling I'm not the only
> one who wonders what others do.??
> 
> No emergencies or crisis situations.  Just wondering.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Brian
> 
> =====
> Brian Trout
> Grand Restorations
> 3090 Gause Blvd., #202
> Slidell, LA  70461
> 985-649-2700
> GrandRestorations@yahoo.com
> 
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