Michael Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I recently acquired an older piano. I bought it for the sound, and now want to see if I can make it aesthetically match. It's a solid maple that was bleached, presumably 40 years ago. I have the original matching bench to test small areas on before I tackle the whole piano, but I wanted to see if anybody had tips for me first. I want to get out a few dents/scratches as well as get it back closer to the natural color, maybe a little bit darker. Am I wasting my time or is this a doable project? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Can you post some photos of how it looks now? 'Bleached' wood can refer to a couple of different finishing processes, which might require different steps to rework. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Sure, I just have a couple of pictures from the gallery. They're delivering the piano next week, then I could get more detailed pictures. For the time being, these are what I have. The site made me resize it, so I hope you can still see the helpful details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 That does not look bleached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted November 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Alright. I'm not too familiar with all the different techniques, and the store just told us it was a bleached finish. Think it's just a light stain then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 A 'Beach-bottle Blonde' finish is a process, not a stain/dye/etc... The finish was popular in the 40s and early 50s.I became enamored with the technique a decade or so ago and executed several pieces using the finish... If I do say so myself, the projects turned-out reasonable well considering I had to learn the process as I went... Essentially, you remove the color from the stock, then use an aniline dye to impart an even 'bleach bottle blonde' tone... It's a high-risk, high-reward finish...I'd research the technique and get yourself some maple stock and practice on it until your have the schedule down prior to refinishing something real... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Maple is really blonde. I think there may be a tinted finish over the maple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) Maple is blonde, but not blonde enough... And not perfectly uniform in tone...The key is to remove all color from all the stock, then you have a 'blank canvas'. From there, you impart an even tone. There are various popular formulations, but I haven't played with the schedule for over a decade.. Available via google... The luthier crowd still uses the finish, so I'd start there... Edited November 27, 2015 by hhh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Trip, my post was not a response to yours. I never saw yours. Perhaps we posted at the same time? The bench wear indicates to me that all of the color is in the top coat. There is no color on the right side top edge of the bevel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 I think Carus has a good point. The wood may be bleached, but it does look as if the color is all in the top coat. To th OP, how much effort are you willing to invest in this? The piano appears to be in fairly good condition in the photo you provided. Is it worth the effort to fully strip it and start fresh? If not, perhaps one of the finishing experts here can instruct you how to apply a tinted top coat over what you already have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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