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Pianos Restored On Contract

5'10" Steinway Grand Style "L" #334511

Walnut, Built in 1950. Being restored by Ray's Piano Service, Spring 2005

The owner of this piano, who is moving from California to a new home in Bellingham, decided to have us improve it before having it delivered to Bellingham.
IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETED:

Refinishing--Refinish lid only.
SCHEDULE:

Received, from California : July 10, 2004

Refinishing completed: Summer 2005

Delivered to Bellingham: October 21, 2005

1950 Steinway Grand "L"-- "Before" picture, taken on arrival in our shop:

1 – "Before" -- Close-up of fallboard decal. The keys have become a bit discolored over time and some are chipped, but most of the original woodfinish is still in great condition.

2 – "Before" -- The owner requested refinishing because of the unacceptable condition of the surface of the piano lid, where due to sun exposure and water damage, the finish has faded and in spots the original lacquer has come off.

3 – "Before" -- This style of piano and the bench have matching "spade-shaped" legs.

4 – "Before" -- The strings are rusty, regulation adjustments are no longer perfect, hammers have worn somewhat, but this piano still has the elegance of a good Steinway, and it has great potential for either reconditioning or complete rebuilding.

1950 Steinway Grand "L"
Pictures of the Improvement Process
taken in our shop:

5 – We stripped the external surfaces of the lid, removing the original lacquer, sealer, filler, and stain. This process also removed the areas of discolored finish on the lid. Then we sanded the stripped surfaces with 80-grit sandpaper and 120-grit sandpaper.

6 – After sanding, we applied "danish walnut" stain, followed with a coat of sealer, then we applied grain filler and dark walnut stain to enhance the grain pattern and followed with another coat of sealer, then we applied two coats of lacquer. We sanded this lacquered finish with 220-grit sandpaper and applied a final "satin lacquer" top coat. The refinished lid matches the color of the rest of the piano quite well.