Pianotech

I'm guessing contact cement. I would apply some lacquer thinner to a discreet part of the cabinet, if it doesn't harm the finish I would try that. Or possibly acetone. Polyester resin is pretty tough stuff.

Unless the lettering is tarnished and unsightly, I wonder why they would want the emblem to go away.  Whatever.. 

Removing the brass letters from the polyester will likely tear out chunks of polyester and look horrible.  The brass letters have an adhesive backing, and are applied before the finish is made.  Later after finishing, the area is sanded to reveal the letters again, and polished.  Thus they are embedded in the polyester.  Any attempt to remove them will likely tear out a lot of poly.   If you remove the letters, you'll need to prepare the area for applying polyester and fill in where the letters were.  If the finish is black, it's do-able.  If no,t you'd have to do a lacquer-type of repair, as polyester is hard to match with a wood finish.  If it's white, better to find a refinishing shop to shoot a matching paint over the whole case.  Another idea is to make a plaque, engraved with the name of the donor, and apply it over the Kawai lettering, or get a piece of black plexiglass and cover the area or maybe drape a nice embroidered cloth over the side to cover it.

Good luck.

Scott,

From your description I visualize a solid rectangular piece of brass attached rather than embedded in the finish. My first choice would be heat applied gradually. In fact I think that is your only choice. Of course cleaning up the adhesive remnants afterwards would be another task. However, Ethyl Acetate can be a big help in that regard if Goo-be-gone doesn't cut the mustard. 😉 

Have fun. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Unless the lettering is tarnished and unsightly, I wonder why they would want the emblem to go away.  Whatever.. 

Removing the brass letters from the polyester will likely tear out chunks of polyester and look horrible.  The brass letters have an adhesive backing, and are applied before the finish is made.  Later after finishing, the area is sanded to reveal the letters again, and polished.  Thus they are embedded in the polyester.  Any attempt to remove them will likely tear out a lot of poly.   If you remove the letters, you'll need to prepare the area for applying polyester and fill in where the letters were.  If the finish is black, it's do-able.  If no,t you'd have to do a lacquer-type of repair, as polyester is hard to match with a wood finish.  If it's white, better to find a refinishing shop to shoot a matching paint over the whole case.  Another idea is to make a plaque, engraved with the name of the donor, and apply it over the Kawai lettering, or get a piece of black plexiglass and cover the area or maybe drape a nice embroidered cloth over the side to cover it.

Good luck.

I would call a dentist. 😉

Scott,

From your description I visualize a solid rectangular piece of brass attached rather than embedded in the finish. My first choice would be heat applied gradually. In fact I think that is your only choice. Of course cleaning up the adhesive remnants afterwards would be another task. However, Ethyl Acetate can be a big help in that regard if Goo-be-gone doesn't cut the mustard. 😉 

Have fun. 

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Unless the lettering is tarnished and unsightly, I wonder why they would want the emblem to go away.  Whatever.. 

Removing the brass letters from the polyester will likely tear out chunks of polyester and look horrible.  The brass letters have an adhesive backing, and are applied before the finish is made.  Later after finishing, the area is sanded to reveal the letters again, and polished.  Thus they are embedded in the polyester.  Any attempt to remove them will likely tear out a lot of poly.   If you remove the letters, you'll need to prepare the area for applying polyester and fill in where the letters were.  If the finish is black, it's do-able.  If no,t you'd have to do a lacquer-type of repair, as polyester is hard to match with a wood finish.  If it's white, better to find a refinishing shop to shoot a matching paint over the whole case.  Another idea is to make a plaque, engraved with the name of the donor, and apply it over the Kawai lettering, or get a piece of black plexiglass and cover the area or maybe drape a nice embroidered cloth over the side to cover it.

Good luck.

If it was a plaque to memorialize someone or a donors name plaque get a new one made at a trophy shop. If it was glued on beware since the glue may have damaged the finish. I say tell them it can't be removed without damaging the finish . If you or they decide it has to come off experiment in places that are not visible like in side a leg

If they don't want a name associated with it, how about just a straight blank brass piece, same size as the one there and glue it on top?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

If they don't want a name associated with it, how about just a straight blank brass piece, same size as the one there and glue it on top?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

If it was a plaque to memorialize someone or a donors name plaque get a new one made at a trophy shop. If it was glued on beware since the glue may have damaged the finish. I say tell them it can't be removed without damaging the finish . If you or they decide it has to come off experiment in places that are not visible like in side a leg

 " I have a feeling they will attempt to deal with themselves rather than hire someone. They've already decided they would rather move the piano off a dolly   themselves and install casters rather than have me do it."

Scott, yes, I would give them a wide berth. 

If they don't want a name associated with it, how about just a straight blank brass piece, same size as the one there and glue it on top?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor