Pianotech

A customer asked me if there is a polish for black laquer finishes.  They have something from Cory, but the customer says it leaves a greasy film on the piano and I verified that.  I wondered if there is something else besides this that you all have run across.  Thanks!

If they have Cory's HI Gloss polish, and there's a greasy film, they didn't have an absorbent cloth or microfiber to remove the excess.  There are two types of polish I'm familiar with.  There's a spritzer/liquid formula like water that you spray on like a mist.  Then wipe off the excess and you're done.  If you use a cotton cloth (diaper) or flannel, that usually will get the shine.  There's also cream-style liquids that have various abrasives in them to get rid of scratches.  Meguiar's makes a lot of them.  3M and other companies make them as well.  The more you rub, the finer they polish.  And you have to remove the residue.  But when you say "greasy", it indicates to me that they have the wrong formula.  Polyester and the other high gloss finishes like urethane are slightly porous, so they will absorb some of the polish to give the surface a "wet look".  If the finish is high gloss lacquer, as was the case on American Baldwins, these kinds of polishes are too aggressive, and often leave the finish looking streaked.  Better to use wax or other lacquer-friendly polish.  If the finish is older, sometimes the water in the polish formula will be absorbed into the finish and possibly ruin it.  Don't ask!  So you have to know what kind of finish you have.  And, some pianos are made with both, and you can't tell them apart!  (read: Kawai).  My best advice is to clean it all off with mild detergent or solvent.  If it's really polyester, it won't matter if you use acetone.  When in doubt, test it.  Then use a proper polyester/plastic polish which should not harm the finish or leave it looking greasy.  You can also call Ruth at Allied Products and ask for some specific advice or product.

A customer asked me if there is a polish for black laquer finishes.  They have something from Cory, but the customer says it leaves a greasy film on the piano and I verified that.  I wondered if there is something else besides this that you all have run across.  Thanks!