Piano Polishing

Piano Polishing

We repolish nearly every piano we restore, believing that it should not only be inside workings of the instrument that be subtly restored, but the case should be sympathetically restored too. What do we mean by the use of the word “sympathetically”? These pianos where hand built during the ‘golden age’ of piano manufacture at the turn of the century: literally hand built by craftsmen of the day. They have seen a great life over that period and deserve to be looked at in that respect: treated with respect. We could sand or fill every blemish or knock. We could build up a high gloss finish. We could use modern shiny finishes: but we don’t. Would you buy a classic car and paint it cherry pink with layers of gloss? No. Then why would we do that to a piano? 

The piano is first stripped removing the old finish, then gently sanded to remove any slight surface wear. They are large items in a room, ideal for pot plants to go on top, the odd note written on paper whilst using the piano as a desk, the list is endless. These are rubbed back and dealt with at this stage, then the polisher will decide on the appropriate stain colour if required. Sometimes the natural wood is enough. If required to even out different woods or sun fading over time, a combination of staining and not staining is used. The polisher is then ready to polish the cabinet. Again, based on the polisher, the type of piano and how they believe it should look, they will make the decision on which polish to use. Over time we have found that our customers really appreciate the soft subtle natural beeswax polish finish we use, so that is what we would generally opt for. However, if the piano has some delicate inlays or needs more depth of shine to high light the exquisite grain of the wood, then French polish will be used first then the beeswax to tone down the gloss look. 

Richard Lipp Piano

Then finally the piano is reassembled, with freshly buffed brass hinges and locks. Subtle restoration inside and out. 

There are many people who claim to restore pianos: some just concentrate their efforts on the piano action, others just polish the case. There are only a handful in the country who can genuinely be said to do both and that is where we choose to stand. A classic instrument lovingly restored. 

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