Pianos are a very unique intersection between instrument and furniture.  The full restoration of a piano addresses both the instrument components – REBUILDING – and the furniture aspects – REFINISHING.  Please follow the links below for a detailed (but understandable) overview of each process.  Remember, we are describing all of the work that can be done; every piano is unique and will require different levels of work depending the condition that the piano is in.

            The refinishing of the piano addresses the furniture and ascetic aspects of the piano.  Full refinishing is detail oriented, labor intensive process, taking on average, 150 to  200 hours.  

            First, all of the parts are removed from the piano – legs, lyre, lid, fallboard, keyslip, etc.  Every screw, hinge, and piece of felt is removed.  

            Next the old finish is stripped and removed from the case and all of the parts.  Now the piano is down to it’s original wood veneer.  All pianos (literally all) are made from a hard wood core with a real wood veneer on top.  Even the ebonized (shiny or satin black) pianos have a real wood veneer underneath.  The case and all parts are now sanded with a course sandpaper to ready them for repair.

            The case and parts are repaired at this point – any gauges, dings, or chips are repaired and loose veneer is re-secured.  A detailed eye for this work is crucial for a perfect final product. 

            Once repaired, the case and all parts are sanded by hand with three successively finer grits of sandpaper.  This is brings the piano down to a perfectly smooth and even plane. 

            Next a dye stain is applied to the piano.  This creates a base of color from which to build off of.  Shoreline Piano will customize the color and can match any sample provided.  Following the stain several coats of level sealer is applied.  The level sealer serves several purposes:  it locks in the stain, provides depth to the grain, and begins to fill in the wood pores in the veneer.  Between coats of sealer, the case and each part are hand rubbed to eliminate imperfections.  Additional stain may also be added between coats to adjust the color. 

            The last step is to put on the lacquer topcoats.  Ten to 15 coats of lacquer are applied depending the piano and what it requires to achieve the desired look.  After these final  coats, the entire case is rubbed out to achieve either a satin, semi-gloss, or high polish finish.

            While the refinishing is done at this point, as with many things in life, the details bring everything together. 

A new, custom duplicated decal is applied to the fallboard.

All hinges, screws, pedals and other brass or nickel parts are polished (brass) or replated (nickel)  

Finally the entire instrument is reassembled, and new rubber buttons are applied.

Why refinish your piano?  The pianos of yesteryear tended to be much more unique, hand made instruments.  Many of the wood veneers used, such as Tiger Mahogany, Rosewood, or Burled Walnuts are no longer available today.  Techniques to cut the veneer to give it it’s own unique pattern are no longer used.  Shoreline Piano will also customize the color so it is either a perfect replica of the original or fits perfectly with the décor in your home.  Above all else it is an opportunity to have a truly one of a kind, special instrument that will often appreciate in value.