REFINISHING/REFURBISHING OF THE OUTSIDE:
Problem: Loose or missing wood pieces, pieces that are actually broken or are so damaged that they are eyesores, lose or missing veneer, scratched, crackled, and dull finish.
Solution: Structural repair to the rim or corpus, joining and reinforcing damaged corners, replication or replacement of missing elements or ornaments, replacing missing veneer and camouflage it to the point where all of my customers can’t find the spot any longer. Sanding down the old, dull, and crackled finish, applying vibrant stain (made in Germany) that brings out the entire color range and the grain of the veneer.
Stains we have seen here in our beloved USA are too greyish and of no vibrancy at all. “High quality refinishing” with a common stain looks still dull to us; and the worst, why would one cover a pyramid-flamed mahogany or walnut with a black finish!
We do not like the idea of stripping down the old finish. It is very inconvenient and much more time consuming of sanding down the old lacquer, but it will not destroy the original veneer, nor is a chemical reaction to be expected, even years after the restoration. Custom Color Matching is my wife Trudy’s specialty (come to the shop to adjust the shade to lighter or darker, more yellow, brownish, or reddish…) For the new lacquer, water and alcohol resistant, most cases fit a semi-gloss or satin finish, where the old instrument is evidence of its age and history. Minor wood blemishes blend to the overall antique look to match the authenticity, not like the look of a 100 year old grandma with snow-white teeth and not one wrinkle in her face, who is unable to smile any longer because her skin is lifted too tight! This is why we polish all the brass and hardware parts very shiny but leaving a patina in the grooves and corners!
You are welcome to the shop at any time and follow all the steps done on your valuable heirloom!
Problem: Loose or missing wood pieces, pieces that are actually broken or are so damaged that they are eyesores, lose or missing veneer, scratched, crackled, and dull finish.
Solution: Structural repair to the rim or corpus, joining and reinforcing damaged corners, replication or replacement of missing elements or ornaments, replacing missing veneer and camouflage it to the point where all of my customers can’t find the spot any longer. Sanding down the old, dull, and crackled finish, applying vibrant stain (made in Germany) that brings out the entire color range and the grain of the veneer.
Stains we have seen here in our beloved USA are too greyish and of no vibrancy at all. “High quality refinishing” with a common stain looks still dull to us; and the worst, why would one cover a pyramid-flamed mahogany or walnut with a black finish!
We do not like the idea of stripping down the old finish. It is very inconvenient and much more time consuming of sanding down the old lacquer, but it will not destroy the original veneer, nor is a chemical reaction to be expected, even years after the restoration. Custom Color Matching is my wife Trudy’s specialty (come to the shop to adjust the shade to lighter or darker, more yellow, brownish, or reddish…) For the new lacquer, water and alcohol resistant, most cases fit a semi-gloss or satin finish, where the old instrument is evidence of its age and history. Minor wood blemishes blend to the overall antique look to match the authenticity, not like the look of a 100 year old grandma with snow-white teeth and not one wrinkle in her face, who is unable to smile any longer because her skin is lifted too tight! This is why we polish all the brass and hardware parts very shiny but leaving a patina in the grooves and corners!
You are welcome to the shop at any time and follow all the steps done on your valuable heirloom!
