Claudia, (1) You should use "acid resistant gloves" which you probably can buy from maybe Lowe's or your local building supply house. These gloves are thick rubber like gloves that extend to your elbows. They make handling the pieces a little difficult but protect your hands from the burning of the stripper. You may need to use a thinner pair of just regular stripping or rubber gloves inside these large thick acid gloves. (2) What kind of gloves do you use for the acetone and steel wool? Why not get a pair of regular stripping gloves for these 2nd step since the chemical is not as hot. Forget the steel wool.....not necessary and use lacquer thinner to just wash off the stripped product to remove any unclean spots and to remove the wax from the stripper. Steel wool will leave tiny "hairs" of steel in your wood. Not necessary. (3) I have used many strippers and chemicals over the years. I suggest you contact the following people who not only have good chemical but also a technical staff that can answer your questions and will probably have all the material you need to learn this trade. I use: Minuteman A501+ Stripper (4) Call this toll free number in Waterloo, Wi. 1-800-733-1776 and ask for their catelogue; they also have the acid gloves; and ask for their assistance. ABOVE ALL WEAR SAFETY GLASSES .....The right or wrong chemical can make your job easy or impossible and miserable. I once used some stripper so hot I ran from my shop and jumped into my swimming pool clothes and all and then I still was burning. I am glad it was summer but it wouldn't have really mattered. And finally, I would ask , "are you sure you really want to get into a messy, hard , hot job like stripping ,of all things ,pianos?" Please let me know if I can help.... Been doing it too long. Tommy Black Decatur, Ala.
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