Rebuild or Refinish?

[JIMRPT@aol.com]

For what it is worth listed below are the steps when I do a 
re-whatever..........
(assuming piano is torn down)
1.  Strip old finish.
2. Make any needed case/part repair.
2.a. (if needed I install/fit/drill new pinblock, new board at this time)
3. Do refinishing (to include inner rim)leaving final coats of laquer 
unrubbed,except the inner rim is rubbed..
4. Tape off inner rim and refinish/repair soundboard/bridge.
5. Gild plate and re-install, restring.
 (I use felt lined thin aluminum angle to protect stretcher and side rims 
when inserting or removing plate and heavy poster board as inner rim lining 
to prevent marring the veneer/finish)
6. Complete re-whatever of the action.
7. Chip and tune as needful.
8. Give piano final rubdown/touchup as needed.

 I find that this process works well for me as it allows me to give the coats 
of finish plenty of time for drying before final rubout and any little nicks 
caused by my clummsiness are easily repaired before final rubout. I do my own 
refinishing so some of the steps wouldn't make sense if you use an outside 
refinisher.
Jim Bryant (FL)