How can I recreate a piano's glossy finish?

Question

I want to be able to take a plain piece of hardwood and give it a finish like that of a piano...what > specifically < is done in order to give wood such a glossy finish?

Answer 1

That is French Polish. Shellac and wax and a lot of rubbing.

  

The other answers are wrong.   They are just guessing.  Steinway pianos are still French Polished.

Look it up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_poli...

Answer 2

Just a Guess - Several coats of lacquer with very fine sanding in between dried coats then more lacquer and alot of buffing with a buffer. They more than likely have several coats of clear coat also.

Answer 3

I work with cabinets, and in addition to the other info you&#039;ve received, I&#039;d add that the finish is probably sprayed, not brushed.  The person we use to do this is a highly paid specialist.  You&#039;re going to have to practice your technique on smaller samples, before doing this.

The equipment can be bought locally.  You will need a 5 hp compressor and a spray gun.

Answer 4

try about 5 to 10 coats of paint, and lacquer buffing each coat

sand the wood first, tag it, [remove dust] paint, let dry coat it with lacquer, let dry buff it, do it again and again,.and again

Answer 5

Best bet is to do a fix it , kind of class as to finishes. Very tricky to get the right parts together, area paint booth.

Good luck this is a-lot to start as a new project.

Answer 6

To begin with, pianos are made of fine wood(s) &amp; are often lacquered, rubbed  w/ rottenstone &amp; pumice &amp; buffed to a high shine....(old school, sprayed these days)

If you want to go the lacquer  route ,(  a little less  work).you could use clear auto lacquer in multiple thin coats, wet dry sanding as needed in between ( just like a fender) .

Lacquer can be applied w/ a fine lacquer brush (real old school) but spraying (even spraycans) is faster.

Still need to &quot;build&#039; the finish up slowly , rub &amp; buff, rub &amp; buff.

That&#039;s  the basic idea.

Might visit some wood finishing sites for more detail.

Best regards

Answer 7

You&#039;re going to have to use grain filler first.

Read and follow the instructions!

&quot;Por-O-Pac&quot; is a good brand.

Then use a gloss lacquer ( lacquer must be sprayed ).

Sand between coats with at least 320-grit silicon-carbide paper.

Area must be dust-free, and it helps to have a seperate high-pressure air hose for blowing dust off of yourself as well as the piece.