piano polish

[UKBob]

is there anything you're supposed to use (or not) when polishing wood with a coated laquer finish (not that I can spell lacker(?))

Also, is it normal to skip grades?

[parrot of doom]

Only clean the ivory keys with warm water and a cloth. Do not use any sprays/polishes etc.

[jimothy]

UKBob said:

is there anything you're supposed to use when polishing wood

Vixpy1 - we have an emergency. Innuendo required!

[UKBob]

parrot of doom said:

Only clean the ivory keys with warm water and a cloth. Do not use any sprays/polishes etc.

Its not for the keys, its for the piano. Its a mini grand, black highly polished ebony finish, and within 2 days its layered in dust

[UKBob]

jimothy said:

UKBob said: is there anything you're supposed to use when polishing wood Vixpy1 - we have an emergency. Innuendo required!

[B17NNS]

Would imagine that it just needs to be treated like any other piece of quality 'furniture'

A regular dusting should be fine.

Warm soapy water every now and again.

And the occasional polish (not to often or the polish will build up) using Pledge or similar.

[Kentish]

UKBob said:

parrot of doom said: Only clean the ivory keys with warm water and a cloth. Do not use any sprays/polishes etc. Its not for the keys, its for the piano. Its a mini grand, black highly polished ebony finish, and within 2 days its layered in dust

Hi Rob,

Try an anti-static spray or cloth, they work really well.

I'm about to embark on piano restoration soon but mine's an upright, I'd love a baby grand.

[UKBob]

I should have mentioned... its new, and already there are tiny spots forming (kinda like rain spots on a car) Anti static sounds good, suspected polish that built up would not be the way to go, my place is dry (no damp problems here) just wasnt sure what caused the spots, or how to deal with them...

[agent006]

Yes, it's perfectly normal to skip grades. I did 1, 3, 4, 5theory, 7, and then A level music took over.

[UKBob]

agent006 said:

Yes, it's perfectly normal to skip grades. I did 1, 3, 4, 5theory, 7, and then A level music took over.

Are you being sarcstic or...?

(Not sure what A level music is)

Teacher said one of his pupils was so good, she skipped 1 and 2, and went straight to 3. She was 9, and had never played before.

[alexkp]

In answer to your question what you need is some coarse sandpaper - give it a really hard rub down.

Then you need some Cuprinol Woodstain - the best choice is antique pine. Apply this liberally.

Then finish off with Kiwi Black Boot Polish.


It will come up a treat.

[wedge girl]

My Dad has a Steinway, and only ever uses a hard beeswax polish which comes in a tin, infact I'm sure he's been using the same tin for the last 30 years.

[simpo two]

UKBob said:

is there anything you're supposed to use (or not) when polishing wood with a coated laquer finish (not that I can spell lacker(?))

If it's a new piano it's probably a cellulose finish, which is pretty indestructible. If it's French Polish, approach with extreme care. Don't the instructions say anything about how to clean it?

[love machine]

Keys are the only bits I clean, very dilute washing up powder solution soaked into a rag which is then turned inside out (to hide the gritty bits) and then wiped off with a dry rag. Clean keys are essential.

Washing powder gives no residue. Works a treat with fine finishes.

[agent006]

UKBob said:

agent006 said: Yes, it's perfectly normal to skip grades. I did 1, 3, 4, 5theory, 7, and then A level music took over. Are you being sarcstic or...? (Not sure what A level music is) Teacher said one of his pupils was so good, she skipped 1 and 2, and went straight to 3. She was 9, and had never played before.

Not sarcastic. A level music, as in my A Levels are Computing, Business Studies and Music.

There's no compulsion to do the grades sequentially, or even do any at all. There are also Jazz grades for various instruments, of which i think piano is one of them.

[M3 Mitch]

Meguier's, the same outfit that makes the car polish, make furniture polish as well. Although, yeah, Pledge is pretty good stuff and I have not heard much aginst it.

Does the owner's manual say anything about a polish, what about the outfit you bought it from?

Congrats on the new piano, you were posting about buying it and it seems you took the plunge. Enjoy!

[miniman]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[UKBob]

Praps I meant to say "how do I clean it" They said do NOT use pledge, it will only build up a waxy layer (as would any wax or polish)

I would just dust it down, but these minute spots are appearing on the laquer. They wipe away effortlessly, as does the dust. But it gets very dusty... The shop monkeys were arguing about which polish to use, and in the end recommended window cleaner

I know bugger all about solvents, and dont want to use something which will strip or ruin the finish (doesnt window cleaner have alcohol in it?) and will take their advice and not use a waxy polish...

so what then?

[wedge girl]

When you apply any wax, you need to spend time buffing it off.

Have you invested in a humidifier?

[ukBob]

wedge girl said:

When you apply any wax, you need to spend time buffing it off. Have you invested in a humidifier?

I suppose you're right, wax needs to be buffed off. No humidifier here, just a very dusty piano Whats causing the thousands of minute spots, moisture?