[pianotech] finishing a plate

[David Ilvedson]

Has anyone taken a plate to an auto repair shop for finishing?

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "William Truitt" <surfdog at metrocast.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 2/27/2010 3:02:54 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] finishing a plate


>I've used the auto primers, golds, and clears in the past as a system.  If
>you have filled and sanded the plate well in the prep stage, it looks
>absolutely fantastic.  The best color match I was able to find for Steinways
>was - get this - Dodge Dart gold.  It was about $100 worth of materials
>then.  

> 

>It is nasty, and I am in a mill building now without a spray room, so I have
>to do things with less toxic materials.

> 

>Will Truitt

> 

>From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
>Of Michael Spreeman
>Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 8:43 PM
>To: pianotech at ptg.org
>Subject: Re: [pianotech] finishing a plate

> 

>I've been able to find thin brass washers at one of the local Ace hardware
>stores (in the plumbing department) that work well under plate bolts and
>nosebolts (that are not countersunk).  I also found this online:  
>http://www.phoenixspecialty.com/?gclid=CM6S3bSukaACFR6lagodxmI_eA

>We countersink the pinblock screw holes (and any other countersunk holes in
>the plate) after the primer coat and again after the finish coats (like Ron
>mentioned).  I've tried just about everything else to eliminate chipping
>when installing the screws to no avail.  We do the same for the hitch pin
>holes and tuning pin holes that are getting tuning pin bushings.  

>  

>Someone mentioned that one of the supply houses sells pinblock screws that
>have a bevel ground on the bottom of the head so it doesn't contact the
>plate finish when driven home.  I haven't tried these because the
>countersinking works. 

>  

>As far as primers, automotive polyester primers work well because they are
>catalyzed and dry hard, minimizing duplex plate and aliquat indentations.
>The downside is that the auto products are costly and very nasty to work
>with. 

>  

>  

> Michael Spreeman 
>www.RavenscroftPianos.com






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