Regarding Rob Buckingham's question about black finish (in case no-one
else sends in anything more knowledgeable!):

Gloss black is the most revealing of all finishes in terms of defects.

I've heard said that putting clear over black is a formula for very
unsightly results.  The normal finish of old black pianos is black
paint physically buffed to a perfect polish.  No shellac or clear stuff
involved as I understand it.  You are unlikely to find 100-years-old
paint nowadays, even if you wanted it.  Probably best to go for the
polyester stuff used on new instruments.  UK price for refinishing an
upright is of the order of 500 GBP ($800).

Robin P Clarke
Birmingham UK
www.zazz.org.uk