[pianotech] How long does a finish need to cure before moving

[Ron Nossaman]

On 11/5/2011 2:18 PM, David Love wrote:
> Sorry, off topic again, technical piano question not to do with signing in
> or paying bills on line.
>
> How long generally does a lacquer finish need to cure before it's safe to
> lay the piano on its side to move it without it showing a blanket imprint.


I intensely dislike refinishing, but have done enough (too much) for 
some general thoughts.

It depends on the primer, finish, the rate of application, and the 
climate in which it was done and is curing out. Thicker finishes take 
longer. Too little time between coats and too high a build rate takes 
longer. Soft primer takes longer. A good polyester primer, not overly 
heavily applied and mostly sanded away, with thin subsequent topcoats 
allowing more time between coats than you'd like - days (warmer is 
quicker), produces the most durable finish in the shortest time that 
I've seen. There are vastly more experienced refinishers on the list 
that can hopefully correct me if that's contrary to their experience.
Ron N