I spray lacquer on my boards. I use Mohawk 1 coat Vinyl Sealer and then their Piano Lacquer (2 coats). Total volume comes out to a little less than a pint with an average weight of .75 lbs.
I spray in a way that has as little overspray as possible, at the point it just begins to atomize, to avoid waste.
I sand between coats with 320 grit and use Gold sandpaper that doesn't clog.
After the finish cures, i sand smooth with pumice and steel wool, then finish off with polishing with a furniture cream. I avoid doing high gloss because of the excessive weight of the finish.
I'm not so sure that shellac is lighter than lacquer as they both feel the same in a can of the same size. Haven't weighed them though, just cant remember thinking one felt lighter than the other. Any presumed acoustic benefit of shellac would be negligible at best and imaginary at worst, since there are so many other links in the chain that have greater impact on the tone.
-chris
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Chernobieff Piano Restorations
"Where Tone is Key"
chernobieffpiano.com
grandpianoman@protonmail.comLenoir City, TN
865-986-7720
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-16-2020 00:46
From: Davide Marchi
Subject: Soundboard varnish recipe
I see many advantages of using shellac instead of laquer, first of all drying time, then thickness (less) and beauty. My laquer taken forever for drying, probably due to humidity in the air (high) but shellac of the exterior of piano turned out perfect (with a damned deep black and 100000000 working hours......)
I've read the use of laquer is commonly approved, over the sub layer of shellac, but nobody really explains why the finish has to be thick. In the guitars less is better, for resonance.
Best regards
David
Original Message:
Sent: 11/13/2020 12:22:00 PM
From: Joseph Burros
Subject: RE: Soundboard varnish recipe
What about using shellac applied with the French polish technique? Modern classical guitar builders are mostly using the French polish applied shellac instead of the lacquer finish as builders feel that the guitar body and top sound board resonates more freely with the French polish. The down side to the French polish shellac is that it can easily show nicks.
I have seen one piano rebuilder use French polished shellac on their refinished sound boards and they claim it creates a more resonant sound board.
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Joe Burros
Cell: 646-410-7174
jbcello@gmail.com
www.fmi-newengland.com
Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2020 11:33
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Soundboard varnish recipe
Correction to earlier post, I use the Enduro Clear Poly linked above, not their pre-cat lacquer.
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2020 11:32
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Soundboard varnish recipe
Spray. If you want to brush use the retail product they call General finishes High Performance . The Enduro Clear Poly, which is what I use, is a commercial product and does not brush well.
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2020 10:31
From: William Ballard
Subject: Soundboard varnish recipe
It looks like all their topcoats are brushable: Compare All Topcoats . Are you spraying or brushing?
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William Ballard RPT
WBPS
Saxtons River VT
802-869-9107
"Our lives contain a thousand springs
and dies if one be gone
Strange that a harp of a thousand strings
should keep in tune so long."
...........Dr. Watts, "The Continental Harmony,1774
+++++++++++++++++++++
Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2020 09:20
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Soundboard varnish recipe
I use General's Pre-cat clear waterborne. You will be hard pressed to quantify what effect any finish has on a piano, especially in a spinet. I just completed a beautiful sounding vintage Chickering with an original board...some of my best sounding work. Finish on the top face is indeed General's waterborne.
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2020 02:19
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Soundboard varnish recipe
Dave
Soundboards are refinished in Shellac, which is a golden colored liquid. It doesn't have to be applied warm.
I don't know which decal was on the soundboard, but Decals Unlimited has just about every decal ever made.
Decals Unlimited
Carol Schroeder
Stephanie Schroeder
222 N McCarrons Blvd
Roseville MN 55113
651-429-4465
stephanie@decalsunlimited.com
Decals Unlimited Inc. - Piano Decals | Custom Decals | Decals for Pool Tables | Brunswick
As far as the heartbreak, I can't help you with that. Pianos have a limited time life. While some of the old instruments are worth restoring, many of them were not very good instruments when they were manufactured and quite frankly, deserve a good throwing away. The secret is knowing which pianos are worth restoring, and which are not. When you've been in the business long enough you'll understand.
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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2020 01:37
From: Dave Burke
Subject: Soundboard varnish recipe
Hello all thanks for the warm welcome.
I am slowly refurbish a family heirloom spinet and have decided to strip or sand the soundboard and try to find the original decal. Wondering if someone can suggest a standard varnish brand or recipe? As I watch master technicians I'm seeing a golden colored broth often applied warm? This isn't a Steinway-but it is the piano I learned on as a child and would to pass it on to my children in decent shape. It's a Wurlitzer c. 1938 I believe based on the serial number. Thanks! Loving learning about this newfound obsession.
One other unrelated question-how do I get over the heartbreak of so many antique pianos being discarded, dumped, burned, etc.? Pianos from the late 19th century routinely being tossed out with the garbage! I want to save them all-but my garage is now full and I don't have unlimited resources unfortunately. Anyone else struggle with this?
cheers,
dave
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Dave Burke
Apprentice
Schertz TX
210-589-9850
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