Patrick Mullarky <pat@nwce.com> sez:

> the Smythe collection of Art-case Pianos. It is
> definitely worth visiting. (http://www.mts.net/~smythe).

Thank you for your endorsement.  Very much appreciated.  Always
nice to get a little positive feedback.  Only don't I wish it was
"the Smythe Collection".  The Gallery may be mine, a couple pianos
in it may be mine, but the majority of those pianos illustrated are
not mine.  They are distributed among many fine private
collections.

> I am currently working on a 1925 Wm Knabe "Verni-Martin" Art-case
> 5'4" Ampico "A". It has many Victorian-era paintings on its Louis XVI
> platform- type case.

Patrick's challenge is one faced by many owners of painted art case
pianos.  The materials used in the teens and 20's have stood the test
of time very well, and many such pianos are in extremely tough
condition.  I have never seen any restoration techniques such as what
he is trying to develop, so I believe this to be a fine opportunity for
this group focus its collective ideas and suggestions on the table and
see what emerges.

I cannot imagine how I would go about the clean-up such as Patrick
describes, and I imagine I would likely end up doing something similar
to what he is doing.  One of the carved case pianos in the Gallery, the
1929 Knabe Ampico B, was in such a condition when found and placed in a
Sotheby auction.  The lucky buyer, after getting it home, spent months
with Q-Tips cleaning out the zillion little 3-dimensional crevices, but
eventually got the piano back into near original condition.  The 4
photos you see are the result of such a clean-up; the original finish
was not restored.  A highly labor intensive operation; a classic labor
of love.

But what to do after the cleanup?   What needs to be done to prevent a
return to this condition 75 years from now as the cycle is repeated?
I'm inclined to support some form of transparent protective coating,
and nominate clear lacquer, sprayed on in a professional shop in
numerous super-thin coats, all clear high gloss, finishing with a
single semi-gloss coat.  I would look to the custom auto paint shops
for some guidance here.  I do not feel comfortable with a good
clean-up, followed by nothing.  The cycle will be repeated and will
have to be done again 75 years hence.

I understand one of the pianos in the Gallery was in such a condition,
and it was brought back to glorious magnificence.  Perhaps Bill Chapman
could make some inquiries and determine who did the restoration and
what techniques were used.

Patrick, please take the time to heavily photograph your progress, and
when finished, let us all have a look at the finished product.  And
when all is said and down, document the process and put it up on the
'Net for all to benefit.

Regards,

Terry

•Terry Smythe                    (204) 832-3982 (voice/fax)
55 Rowand Avenue                mailto:smythe@mts.net
Winnipeg, MB, Canada   R3J 2n6  smythe@freenet.mb.ca
Home page: http://www.mts.net/~smythe
Come visit my new Gallery of Art Case Reproducing Grand Pianos