CAUT

  • 1.  help with black key finish

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-12-2023 23:21
      |   view attached

    Greetings all,

    I steamed some front key bushings out, turned the set over, and got a nasty surprise: a whitish gook had formed on all the black keys.

    I was able to get most off with steel wool, but now of course the keys don't look as black as the unharmed ones. Any suggestions on how to touch up the finish?

    I do have some black TransTint, but I haven't yet used it.

    thanks!



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    Scott Cole, RPT
    rvpianotuner.com
    Talent, OR
    (541-601-9033
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  • 2.  RE: help with black key finish

    Posted 07-13-2023 00:18
    I've been enjoying watching AT Restorations on YouTube. He works wonders in a very diverting way. 

    One thing he did to a Swedish rocking chair, totally messed up and left outdoors, and painted aqua, was to paint it black (its original color) after removing the aqua paint, and then, on top of that, he used French Polish by putting Transtint black into shellac and rubbing it on (fairly dilute shellac) in multiple layers with a wad inside a linen cover, ala French Polish.. 

    Let's see if I can find it ... 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_X8UpGUy5o&t=24s

    I plan to use this on a black 1895 upright, wanting to have a very shiny very black finish without having to remove the old one. 

    From the look of your photo, I think you should get off more of the white before you do anything. Maybe bronze wool, maybe used wet? 



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: help with black key finish

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-13-2023 00:58

    Mohawk makes a product called No-Blush.  It's mostly solvent to melt into the old finish.  Or you might try just spraying the keys with lacquer.  Just spray one side to see what happens.  The moisture from steaming the bushings has soaked into the finish and caused the white appearance.  Like putting a glass of water on top of furniture, it will leave a white ring.  Same thing here.  You need to wet the finish again with solvent so that the moisture can come out.  French polishing would do the same thing.



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


  • 4.  RE: help with black key finish

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-13-2023 01:06
    I have found that when I steam keys for any reason (like bushings) I put the key set upside down on a thick towel. I noticed early on that on a cool table or bench top, the condensation can make a lot of water, which is not good especially for ivories or ebony sharps. I haven’t seen what you got, the white spots, but I assume it’s kind of like the water mark you’d get on a table or desk top, exactly as Paul has said. So I think his answer is a good direction to pursue.

    Kathy.


    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: help with black key finish

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-14-2023 06:46

    I>> steamed some front key bushings out, turned the set over, and got a nasty surprise: a whitish gook had formed on all the black keys.

    I was able to get most off with steel wool, but now of course the keys don't look as black as the unharmed ones. Any suggestions on how to touch up the finish?<<

    Greetings, 
       Too late now, but next time......The problem was the steel wool!      I steam bushings and the accidentals often have a heavy build-up of gunk on their sides that turn white.  This is just the moisture in the grease and I found that a coarse rag, like an old towel, will wipe it all off while it is still hot. I now will intentionally pass the sharps over the steam jet and immediately wipe off to clean them, even if I am not re-bushing. .  The gunk comes off very easily without any damage to the sharp.  
    Regards,



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: help with black key finish

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-13-2023 10:55

    Look for finishing products for removing white ring (glass)  marks.  Use jaras tool for removing key bushings and after removal immediately insert sizing caul.



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    Parker Leigh
    Winchester VA
    (540) 722-3865
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: help with black key finish

    Member
    Posted 07-13-2023 19:52

    You could replace them with used wooden sharps if you are lucky to find such with the mortices in the same location. The steam got under the finish. Several woodworking supply houses sell supplies to remove water rings. An antique restorer or good furniture e-finisher probably has the ability to fix it right quick. 

    maybe they will have to strip the keys and spray a new finish o



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: help with black key finish

    Posted 07-13-2023 20:03
    I keep two sets of good (Immaculate) ebony sharps from two ex-pianos, for just this reason. 

    But I think these in the photo can be retrieved. 



    Original Message