[pianotech] Steinway finish ?

William Monroe bill at a440piano.net
Sat Mar 6 07:02:06 MST 2010


Steven,

Scratches on the fall board and anywhere else on the finish can be removed
just as you suggested.  Depending upon the depth of the scratches/streaks,
0000 steel wool may do it, or you may need to go to p600, or p400 or p320,
to get deep enough.  In essence, use the least abrasive grit you can get
away with, and work your way up to 0000 steel wool.  Everything is done as
wet sanding, using a lubricant such as wool lube with the water.  Work
cautiously, and avoid the edges always.  I've yet to meet one of these
finishes that didn't burn through at the corners very quickly.  Keep in mind
that you'll almost always need to do at least the final rub with 0000 across
the entire surface you are addressing in order to get it to blend well.
Straight strokes, gwasshopper, are essential for a nice satin rub.......  It
is also helpful to use a polish after the steel wool to blend things again.

This will have to be modified with new Steinway pianos, however as the new
ones have a high-gloss Polyester finish on the fallboard.  Repair and
maintenance is a bit different for these.

Proper way to re-install??  Whatever works.  I usually place the fallboard
on the keys in the open position, about at the front edge of the sharps.
Then I position the two cheek blocks on their posts.  Then, lift the
fallboard slightly and rotate to about 45 degrees and place into position.
Some folks put the cheek blocks on outside the piano and balance the
assembly to install as one piece.  I've had the cheek blocks fall off too
many times so I've stuck with the method I've outlined above.

William R. Monroe


On Sat, Mar 6, 2010 at 7:40 AM, Steven Hopp <hoppsmusic at hotmail.com> wrote:

>  Hello,
>
> I worked on a newer Steinway D yesterday with black satin finish.  After
> replacing the cheek blocks and fall board I noticed on the front of the fall
> board some small streaks.  Not scratches.  I think they came from the
> sharps??  My fault I think.  I also noticed a few of them near the edges of
> the case where the cheek blocks go back in.  I thought I was careful but the
> design is tricky to re install without some manuevering.
>
> My questions:
>
> 1.  Can the "streaks" be removed?  - oooo steel wool and a gentle touch?
>
> 2.  what is the proper way to replace this style of fallboard and cheek
> block to avoid this problem?
>
> 3.  any thoughts on the cheek block "scratches"?  (to remove them - they
> are very minor)
>
> Thanks for the help.
>
> Steven Hopp
> Midland, TX
>
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