Piano Restorations

In major piano restorations the iron frame is removed to obtain access to the soundboard. The varnish is usually cracked and will admit the atmosphere to the timber, creating possible future problems. All splits are repaired and varnish stripped. The timber is cleaned and prepared, and then lacquered.

 

The iron frame is cleaned, and refinished with gold and clear lacquer. All frame screws/bolt heads are cleaned or re-plated. Complete restringing of bass and treble is undertaken. New hammers and damper felts are fitted.

 

Along with complete restringing, new hammers, damper felts, dampers tops polished, piano keys cleaned or recovered and polished. Also action springs are replaced if needed. Then action regulation, that is a very rare skill to set up the action to enable expressive playing.

 

The repolishing of the piano case is done with traditional french polish. The piano case has to be stripped of original finish, washed with methylated spirits, to neutralise the liquid stripper fluids, sanding with first course paper, medium and then fine paper. Apply colour filler to fill the grain. Apply the colour stain for the right veneer type and depth of tone. We can supply and fit new grand piano tops, grand piano legs, desks, falls. desk ends, and keyblocks. There are often occasions when clients have not recognised their instrument.

 

 

Full renovation of a grand piano to as new condition takes about four months. On completion of restoration the piano will need the same attention as a new piano in terms of regulation and stabilisation tuning. Westminster Pianos undertake free piano tuning for 12 months following such work. New piano strings need time under tension before the metal crystal structure develops to give long term tuning stability.

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