Pianotech

  • 1.  Alcohol blush on wood finish

    Member
    Posted 07-08-2022 22:32
    I stupidly got a dribble of rubbing alcohol down the from of the stretcher. It clouded the finish a looks white. It's like when someone sets a drink on a wood take and it leaves a ring,
    I forget what lifts the white but there is a way?

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    Keith Roberts
    owner
    Hathaway Pines CA
    (209) 770-4312
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  • 2.  RE: Alcohol blush on wood finish

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-09-2022 00:20
    Hi Keith:
    I'll assume the finish is lacquer.  If it's a very old finish, rough and cracked, you might be able to use Howard's Restore-A-Finish.  Home Depot paint dept.  If the finish is still in good shape, you'll need to reflow the lacquer by using No-Blush spray (Mohawk) or other similar product.  A padding lacquer/ french polish will work also.  What has happened is that moisture has been trapped in the finish, and you need to wet the lacquer again and allow it to dry and let the moisture escape.  Anyway that's what I've read. 
    Good luck.
    Paul McCloud

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    Paul McCloud, RPT
    Accutone Piano Service
    www.AccutonePianoService.com
    pavadasa@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Alcohol blush on wood finish

    Posted 07-09-2022 09:52
    I've used naphtha to clean grime on lacquered finishes. Not sure if it will work for your alcohol problem but if you do try it, be sure to spot test on an inconspicuous area before cleaning  
    Gary Messling





    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Alcohol blush on wood finish

    Posted 07-09-2022 11:29
    A cloudy finish is water trapped in the finish. Isopropyl/rubbing alcohol has water in it. the alcohol softened the finish and the water permeated to cloud the finish.

    Denatured alcohol will soften the finish and draw out the water as it evaporates. Don't use too much. Dampen a cloth and lightly wipe it on, then wave the cloth over the area to aid evaporation.  This is how one removes white rings in a finish. It works for shellac/varnish finishes too but you have to be extra careful because the alcohol will dissolve the finish faster.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Alcohol blush on wood finish

    Member
    Posted 07-09-2022 11:57
    You have to buy the fuel grade alcohol? Didn't they discontinue denatured. My can of denatured is so old it probably has absorbed water. 




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Alcohol blush on wood finish

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-10-2022 15:18
    If you buy a bottle of Everclear 190 proof vodka it is nearly pure alcohol when freshly opened. Naturally as time goes by and the bottle is repeatedly opened it will absorb some water. 

    I have successfully used the slightly dampened cloth and a warm iron method to fix this. Must very careful, but as stated, the issue is moisture trapped just below the surface. It must be softened and allowed to escape before the finish re-hardens.

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Alcohol blush on wood finish

    Member
    Posted 07-14-2022 11:20
    My first attempt with a denatured alcohol dampened rag and gently rubbing got 90% of it. I need a new can of alcohol and I will finish it up.

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    Keith Roberts
    owner
    Hathaway Pines CA
    (209) 770-4312
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    Original Message