[pianotech] From the Dark Side

[Joseph Garrett]

There sure as hell should be!<G>
Joe (the other one<G>)


> [Original Message]
> From: Joe Goss <imatunr at srvinet.com>
> To: <joegarrett at earthlink.net>; <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 7/4/2012 11:00:22 AM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] From the Dark Side
>
> Is there any idiot proof insurance?
> Joe Goss BSMusEd MMusEd RPT
> imatunr at srvinet.com
> www.mothergoosetools.com
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
> To: "pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2012 11:40 AM
> Subject: [pianotech] From the Dark Side
>
>
> > Ladies and Gentlemen,
> > I bring you the most incredible story from the Dark Side, (otherwise
known
> > as the Higher Logic, [yeah right], bullcrap list):
> >
> > "Subject: Re; Polyester and Aliphatic Urethane?
> > Message: This message has been cross posted to the following
Discussions:
> > Pianotech and Casework and Finishing .
> > -------------------------------------------
> > Dear Folks,
> >
> > It was an interesting day. Hope some of you re-finishing gurus are
looking
> > for a little action in here.
> >
> > Short story; can aliphatic urethane (Devcote 379, I believe) be applied
> > over a polyester finish?
> > And stay there?
> >
> > Long story; Picture a Yamaha C7 at a local performing arts center with a
> > small ding on the fallboard, and two matching dings on the lid. A piece
of
> > equipment (lighting) was dropped and hit hard enough to punch through
the
> > finish. None of these marks larger than a quarter. Small.
> >
> > I suggested a reputable refinisher, skilled in poly-repair and also a 
> > quote
> > from Yamaha on simply replacing the two pieces. This would be the
> > fallboard, and the front 'apron' of the lid; the rectangular piece we
fold
> > over when we open the piano. No brainer, right? The refinisher is
actually
> > working in a space at the Yamaha dealer for goodness sake! You'd think
> > there was no issue or thought required. Done deal.
> >
> > Ah....no. One of the part-time stagehands (I kid you not), offers that
he
> > can fix that right up. Take a day and get 'er done. Cheap, too. After
all,
> > he said; "It's lacquer. My Devcote 379 with a dash of converter will
bond
> > right to that." And proceeded to 'fix' the broken 'lacquer' finish with
> > this product. But...he oversprayed on the lid, and got some on the body
of
> > the instrument. Gee...guess we need to get that too! Oh, and the rest of
> > the lid to keep things shiny bright and beautiful. Perfect, just
perfect. 
> > A
> > $45,000.00 piano in the hands of a man who cannot identify lacquer from
> > polyester.
> >
> > So, the simple repair turned into a COMPLETE coat of this product on the
> > entire piano. When I walked in this afternoon he was busy putting this
> > stuff onto the cheekblocks (locking them into place, of course) and the
> > keyslip (locking that into place), and yes....even the pedal lyre and
the
> > dang stage-dolly under the piano!
> >
> > Swallowing my instant fear and cry of anguish; I suggested that we could
> > pull the parts off the piano, to give him better control and access, and
> > removed the cheek blocks, action, music desk, fallboard, and pedal lyre
> > from the piano. Then pulled the rods from the pedal lyre. And cautiously
> > suggested that using acetone and other liquids (whatever in that
finishing
> > brew) over the piano strings, and then rubbing it out with dust and
finish
> > blowing around, might best be done with the strings and soundboard
masked
> > from the dust and drips. 'Are you a re-finisher?' he asks. 'Nope' says
I.
> > 'I leave that to the professionals!'. Nodding, and satisfied, he
followed
> > my suggestions. He promised to mask the legs seperately, and spray them
> > discreetly from the body, he promises that they won't be welded with the
> > finish to the piano. No...they are not removed. Nor is the lid, despite
my
> > offer to help get that simple precaution done.
> >
> > So....what say the professionals?
> >
> > Can you safely sand a 1996 Yamaha C7 high-density high-gloss polyester
> > finish, wash it with acetone, and put a shiny coat of 'aliphatic resin'
on
> > that for a permanent and long-lasting shiny piano? I thought he meant
> > carpenter's wood glue, for one scary second...but caught a glimpse of
the
> > actual can. I believe it was Devcote 379 aliphatic urethane, a can of
> > Devcote 379 'converter', and a gallon of matching 'Thinner' whose
product
> > list included Benzene, Tuolene, and a host of similiar substances.
> >
> > Success ratio?
> > Drying time of this product, if sprayed today?
> > Average humidity on the Oregon Coast currently approaches 80-90%. And
the
> > piano is less than 2 miles from the ocean. Temperature? Cool. Not 
> > exceeding
> > 70, nor dropping below 50 at night. Piano on loading dock, guys. Piece
of
> > tin between it and outdoors, once they shut the damn two-story rolling
> > monster.
> >
> > Why ask about drying? Curious about that are you? Why? Because, for good
> > measure; the piano is being borrowed by the Newport Symphony on Friday
> > morning. Moved 50 miles from its present location on the loading dock
> > (...just inside the wide-open 40-ft door, for ventilation don't you
know).
> > For a two piano performance....with a Mason-Hamlin BB on Saturday
> > afternoon. Can I get an 'Amen?'
> >
> > Respectfully,
> > I am,
> > Awaiting your input,
> > -------------------------------------------
> > Jeffrey T. Hickey, RPT"
> >
> > I'm at a loss for words on this one.
> > Joe
> >
> > Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
> > Captain of the Tool Police
> > Squares R I
> >
> > 
>