I had to refinish the rosewood lid on this 1880 Chickering that was soaked with silicone from innapropriate polish use. Not only had its last ( crummy ) refinishing job puckered and cratered like crazy due to the stuff, but even more had been applied since then ( Probably 30 years ). It was mess! Several people said "The only way to get rid of this is to add pure silicone to your lacquer." I understand that this works, but truly hate to do it because it contaminates your gun and shop forever, and increases the chance that the next sucker to refinish the thing ( if there is one ) will curse you. So I stripped the thing several times with Citra-Strip (TM) and alcohol, with final washes with lacquer thinner, scrubbing the wood with the grain with a fine-bristle brass brush. Wiped again with lacquer thinner, etc., until shop rags wiped clean. Went through several gas masks and pairs of gloves, too. I don't believe in destroying my brain, liver and pancreas for a mere piano! Too many of my acquaintances have died young this way. And it hurts! Sanded, used Minwax water-based "Stain Prep", and applied Minwax water-based stain, wiping off the excess. ( Looked great! ) Sprayed greatly thinned out sealer coat of N.C. sanding sealer, applied Dark Walnut paste wood filler, sanded off residue and top layer of sanding sealer after assiduous wiping, sprayed another thinned coat of sealer and topcoats. Not one pucker, ripple or crater. Not one. I was delighted! It did blush on the sealer coat a bit, especilally in specific areas, indicating that there was some silicone interference, still. But I sprayed a thin,50/50 coat of lacquer redducer and lacquer thinner, and this went away. Next time, though, I'm serously considering water-based finishing! The xylene, especially, they put in stuff today, will send you to another planet for several days if inhaled. Not a nice planet, either! Thump __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
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