Piano Refinishing

Piano refinishing corresponds to the process of stripping the piano down, taking out the cabinet, and applying several layers of oil to its surface, all with the aim to make the instrument look new again. It's the act of making your piano look aesthetically good from the outside.

While oil plays a very important role in the refinishing processes, you have to understand that it won't shield the wood from water and moisture. Even if a lot of oil manufacturers claim that it could, chances are, water would still penetrate the wood even after oiling it. And so, it is very important to keep your piano away from water and away from rooms with high humidity levels. Oil is supposed to be applied in three coats. The first is to attempt to seal the surface, and the next two is serve as the base for the lacquer.

The process is done in four stages. The first phase is the removal of the piano's old finish. The surface has to be washed clean so that all chemical residues are removed. The second phase comes next, wherein damages to the surface are assessed. Scratches and breaks to the veneer and the case are checked so the necessary repairs can be carried out.

The third part of the process involves the sanding of wood to prepare it for priming or staining. Once this is done, the piano will be sent over to the last phase, which is the refinishing department. In the refinishing department, the piano is sprayed and sanded between the layers of coating. Three coats of finishes are applied. On the last coat, the surface is either hand rubbed or machine polished for perfection.

Generally, a piano refinishing job takes about three to four months to complete. And if you specifically ordered a lacquer finish for your piano, you have to wait for another two to three weeks for it to dry totally.

When sending your piano for a refinishing job, it is important that you choose the best service provider around. If you want the best finish for your piano, you should never settle for anything else.

We strongly recommend that you consider getting your piano refinished instead of buying a new one as there is often a lot of history in an older piano and their age can actually cause a richer sound than a new one will provide. It's up to you, but we think it's a lost art that should be looked at more seriously.