How do I rejuvenate this finish? Should I die the light wood first? Is there a polish that I can use that will bring back the shine without going through the effort of a real French polish? If I must use French polish, can you recommend a product to buy or recipe to make that is easier for a novice to use? Any modern variants or top coat finishes that are better at resisting water damage?
Assuming I refinish it and not just polish it, to fill in the scrapes, dents, etc, what should I use? and do I need to remove any of the finish or sand it down in order to fill it back and polish? Must I use pumice, as originally done, or are there modern fillers that do better or as well for less work? What about filling in the deeper gouges on corners? Is there a product that fills and can take the polish or should I rasp it and sand it off smooth and refinish?Next part: Someone has already tried a partial refinish job... the top of the lid, part of the music desk and the cover to the keyboard have been spray painted a matte black paint.
Correct me if I'm wrong... I need to remove this paint to wood and re-French polish from scratch?
I'm hoping here there is a miracle cure that will match the original finish.
Now, if I was a stickler for getting the whole thing to look consistent again, do you think I can achieve this without stripping the entire thing down to wood and re-doing it all again... ie, fixing up the existing French polish and re-doing what is painted, and then have it all looking more or less the same?
last question... the lyre is the only part of the piano that has this antique piano, bumpy surface to it. What causes it? Can I just sand it down and repolish it?Lots of questions, I know,
but I'm trying to assess the job ahead, if I can do this, or what needs to be done by professional.
