Pianotech

I have a customer that has a Story & Clark grand that is likely not much older than about 20 years, based on style and condition. My Pierce indicates that QRS was the last one to produce pianos under that name. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a serial number anywhere. But my question is not the exact date, but rather what type of finish was used on the piano. It is a black satin finish. I think it is polyester, but I've never seen a polyester finish that had a scratch pattern applied for the satin look that didn't come out grey - this is fairly black. I have a few pictures of a deep scratch in the side of the case. Again, the finish looks thick enough to be poly and there is also a couple small chips left hanging in the scratch that again suggest polyester. I'm just not sure.

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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
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Polyester base with a urethane/lacquer/water base clear topcoat, rubbed to satin?

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Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2019 06:33
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Newer Story & Clark Grand Finish Type

I have a customer that has a Story & Clark grand that is likely not much older than about 20 years, based on style and condition. My Pierce indicates that QRS was the last one to produce pianos under that name. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a serial number anywhere. But my question is not the exact date, but rather what type of finish was used on the piano. It is a black satin finish. I think it is polyester, but I've never seen a polyester finish that had a scratch pattern applied for the satin look that didn't come out grey - this is fairly black. I have a few pictures of a deep scratch in the side of the case. Again, the finish looks thick enough to be poly and there is also a couple small chips left hanging in the scratch that again suggest polyester. I'm just not sure.

Does anyone know of any former employees of QRS that might be aware of the finish type?

Thanks.

Terry Farrell

PS: I have more pictures if might help anyone…..

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

If you rub with acetone and it dissolved it is not a polyester

Alexander Brusilovsky


Original Message------

I have a customer that has a Story & Clark grand that is likely not much older than about 20 years, based on style and condition. My Pierce indicates that QRS was the last one to produce pianos under that name. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a serial number anywhere. But my question is not the exact date, but rather what type of finish was used on the piano. It is a black satin finish. I think it is polyester, but I've never seen a polyester finish that had a scratch pattern applied for the satin look that didn't come out grey - this is fairly black. I have a few pictures of a deep scratch in the side of the case. Again, the finish looks thick enough to be poly and there is also a couple small chips left hanging in the scratch that again suggest polyester. I'm just not sure.

Does anyone know of any former employees of QRS that might be aware of the finish type?

Thanks.

Terry Farrell

PS: I have more pictures if might help anyone…..

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Alexander B. replied: "If you rub with acetone and it dissolved it is not a polyester"

Thank you! But just to clarify/to be sure, you are suggesting acetone rather than a stronger solvent like lacquer thinner? I'm guessing lacquer thinner might be strong enough to even dissolve polyester! Yes?

Inside the fallboard, the finish extends well inside the action cavity on the rim - good place to experiment. Thanks again.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2019 07:55
From: Alexander Brusilovsky
Subject: Newer Story & Clark Grand Finish Type

If you rub with acetone and it dissolved it is not a polyester

Alexander Brusilovsky


Original Message------

I have a customer that has a Story & Clark grand that is likely not much older than about 20 years, based on style and condition. My Pierce indicates that QRS was the last one to produce pianos under that name. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a serial number anywhere. But my question is not the exact date, but rather what type of finish was used on the piano. It is a black satin finish. I think it is polyester, but I've never seen a polyester finish that had a scratch pattern applied for the satin look that didn't come out grey - this is fairly black. I have a few pictures of a deep scratch in the side of the case. Again, the finish looks thick enough to be poly and there is also a couple small chips left hanging in the scratch that again suggest polyester. I'm just not sure.

Does anyone know of any former employees of QRS that might be aware of the finish type?

Thanks.

Terry Farrell

PS: I have more pictures if might help anyone…..

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Terry,
Acetone is the primary ingredient in Lacquer thinner, which has other solvents that evaporate slower to optimize lacquer flow. Straight acetone would be too fast when applying lacquer, but still dissolves it just fine. 

Acetone will also dissolve shellac. Acetone should not dissolve cured  reactive finishes like polyester.

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Greg Graham, RPT
Brodheadsville, PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2019 08:03
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Newer Story & Clark Grand Finish Type

Alexander B. replied: "If you rub with acetone and it dissolved it is not a polyester"

Thank you! But just to clarify/to be sure, you are suggesting acetone rather than a stronger solvent like lacquer thinner? I'm guessing lacquer thinner might be strong enough to even dissolve polyester! Yes?

Inside the fallboard, the finish extends well inside the action cavity on the rim - good place to experiment. Thanks again.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2019 07:55
From: Alexander Brusilovsky
Subject: Newer Story & Clark Grand Finish Type

If you rub with acetone and it dissolved it is not a polyester

Alexander Brusilovsky


Original Message------

I have a customer that has a Story & Clark grand that is likely not much older than about 20 years, based on style and condition. My Pierce indicates that QRS was the last one to produce pianos under that name. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a serial number anywhere. But my question is not the exact date, but rather what type of finish was used on the piano. It is a black satin finish. I think it is polyester, but I've never seen a polyester finish that had a scratch pattern applied for the satin look that didn't come out grey - this is fairly black. I have a few pictures of a deep scratch in the side of the case. Again, the finish looks thick enough to be poly and there is also a couple small chips left hanging in the scratch that again suggest polyester. I'm just not sure.

Does anyone know of any former employees of QRS that might be aware of the finish type?

Thanks.

Terry Farrell

PS: I have more pictures if might help anyone…..

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Acetone is stronger and faster then thinner

Alexander Brusilovsky


Original Message------

Terry,
Acetone is the primary ingredient in Lacquer thinner, which has other solvents that evaporate slower to optimize lacquer flow. Straight acetone would be too fast when applying lacquer, but still dissolves it just fine. 

Acetone will also dissolve shellac. Acetone should not dissolve cured  reactive finishes like polyester.

------------------------------
Greg Graham, RPT
Brodheadsville, PA
------------------------------

Hi Terrence:
It is/was common to apply a polyester finish, and topcoat with lacquer, for the very reason you state. When I used to work for a store, it was my job to rub out the finishes from packing marks, etc., so I had to deal with satin polyester. If you rub too much, or have to do a polyester repair, you simply have to recoat with clear lacquer when the repair is done, then sand it smooth and rub it satin. I used to use very fine pumice with water or rubbing oil and a soft rag or sponge to make the satin grain. However if it is a matte finish (no rub lines), the lacquer was sprayed on and it dried like that. No amount of rubbing will match a matte finish, so it would have to be sprayed with matte lacquer and allowed to dry. Good luck doing that and not having dust fall on it and imbed in the finish.

Paul McCloud
San Diego



Terrence Farrell:
I have a customer that has a Story & Clark grand that is likely not much older than about 20 years, based on style and condition. My Pierce indicates that QRS was the last one to produce pianos under that name. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a serial number anywhere. But my question is not the exact date, but rather what type of finish was used on the piano. It is a black satin finish. I think it is polyester, but I've never seen a polyester finish that had a scratch pattern applied for the satin look that didn't come out grey - this is fairly black. I have a few pictures of a deep scratch in the side of the case. Again, the finish looks thick enough to be poly and there is also a couple small chips left hanging in the scratch that again suggest polyester. I'm just not sure.

Does anyone know of any former employees of QRS that might be aware of the finish type?

Thanks.

Terry Farrell

PS: I have more pictures if might help anyone…..



------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505



Original Message------

I have a customer that has a Story & Clark grand that is likely not much older than about 20 years, based on style and condition. My Pierce indicates that QRS was the last one to produce pianos under that name. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a serial number anywhere. But my question is not the exact date, but rather what type of finish was used on the piano. It is a black satin finish. I think it is polyester, but I've never seen a polyester finish that had a scratch pattern applied for the satin look that didn't come out grey - this is fairly black. I have a few pictures of a deep scratch in the side of the case. Again, the finish looks thick enough to be poly and there is also a couple small chips left hanging in the scratch that again suggest polyester. I'm just not sure.

Does anyone know of any former employees of QRS that might be aware of the finish type?

Thanks.

Terry Farrell

PS: I have more pictures if might help anyone…..

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message------

I have a customer that has a Story & Clark grand that is likely not much older than about 20 years, based on style and condition. My Pierce indicates that QRS was the last one to produce pianos under that name. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a serial number anywhere. But my question is not the exact date, but rather what type of finish was used on the piano. It is a black satin finish. I think it is polyester, but I've never seen a polyester finish that had a scratch pattern applied for the satin look that didn't come out grey - this is fairly black. I have a few pictures of a deep scratch in the side of the case. Again, the finish looks thick enough to be poly and there is also a couple small chips left hanging in the scratch that again suggest polyester. I'm just not sure.

Does anyone know of any former employees of QRS that might be aware of the finish type?

Thanks.

Terry Farrell

PS: I have more pictures if might help anyone…..

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------