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Expert: - 5/23/2009


Question
I have a 1904 Steinway upright that appears almost black and crackled. There are a few spots that reveal a beautiful flamed "mahoghony?" underneath. I started rubbing a small section with a Howard product and 0000 steelwool. The finish in this small area is coming up beautifully, BUT. This will take me an eternity AND my arms will probably fall off. I am thinking about doing a 10" square area each day. Is there some other approach that may be more effective? I don't mind the rubbing, but I suspect that the product is too weak for this big buildup of whatever it is.
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Barry, the "black and crackled" surface is the old Varnish (possibly shellac). It has broken down and turns almost opaque when it does. Your slowly removing it with your fine steel wool rubbing, but it can be stripped much faster with a stronger stripper and coarser steel wool. The Mahogany of that era is quite hard wood, and can stand a more invasive approach. Stripping will leave the wood clean and smooth,but you'll find removing the old finish a challenge as it turns into a VERY sticky mess when doing so.... but then you'll have to refinish the piano, and this is a skilled job, especially to create a finish that looks aged and patinated. If you've never done finishing like this, I would be hesitant to suggest you plow ahead.Piano finishing is an art, and really takes some serious skill sets to do properly.I'm sure Steinway charges upwards of $1500-2000 to do an upright like this...I would call Steinway and inquire as to the original finish, and how they would approach such a restoration. From your serial # they can likely give you a lot of information, I would think. Regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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