Piano polishing
Why re-finish your piano?
Apart from being a musical instrument, a piano is a piece of furniture in its own right, and as such it is designed to be aesthetically pleasing, not just functional.
At the time of manufacture, all makers pay great attention to the look of their pianos, investing a lot of time on the general design of the case and choosing the best materials. A key element is what wood veneer is chosen for the piano; that is, a thin layer of valuable, tropical hardwood like rosewood or mahogany, chosen due to colour and grain. Often, piano makers also incorporate intricate inlays and mouldings to further enhance the beauty of the piano.
Unfortunately, over time, regardless of how well a piano has been looked after, exposure to sunlight, moisture and general wear and tear begin to have an impact on the piano, and the outward appearance starts to deteriorate, even if the function as an instrument doesn’t.
For many people, their piano can also have great sentimental value because it is a family heirloom that has been passed on through generations, and therefore possesses a unique history to it.
For these reasons, Roberts Pianos offers refinishing services for anyone who wishes to restore the aesthetic beauty of their piano. Not to mention that refinishing does also increase the market value of the piano.
Piano Finishes
The finish applied on a piano is a crucial factor as it serves two main purposes: aesthetics and durability. A finish must bring out the colour and pattern of the wood, so as to enhance the attractiveness, but also offer lasting protection. This is where the traditional French Polishing technique remains unbeaten in spite of the recent modern alternatives.
French Polish
Our team of french-polishers apply around thirty coats of shellac on all visible sections using age-old hand methods and then wax polish made from beeswax is added to give a traditional style look, bringing out the best grain contrasts. This is done by our team of professional French polishers and we can finish the piano in any style or colour. We try to re-polish the piano exactly as it was originally, though this can be a very lengthy process as “French polishing” requires a very large number of coats. A more basic finish is also available. Costs vary between £1500 and £4500. We can also change the colour of your piano if you wish or do modern polyester finishes if required.
Submit a polishing enquiry
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