This is a bit late coming in regarding this subject, but I think
piano finishing in general is of major importance for everyone in
the business, whether a professional or not.

I took a course in finishes from Webb Phillips at the NEESCO conference
this last spring.  After having spent years re-finishing furniture, of
_all_ kinds, this class was a real eye opener.  All of the suggestions
given in MMD so far (including shellac) seemed very home based or
stop-gap, making it very difficult to _restore_ the original finish.

The one thing I would definitely agree with one of the other responders
is that the surface must be perfectly flat: _any_ dent or ripple (like
from the grain of the wood) will be magnified in the final finish.  And
I can attest to that with several pianos I have picked up that were
"refinished" by home craftsmen -- all with shiny finishes but wavy
surfaces and a very unprofessional look.  For one thing, the materials
which are available today are not of the quality that went into the
pianos in the first place -- they were always industrial grade and
sprayed.

We also have an additional problem now with many states prohibiting
the use of the old lacquers, which are not healthy, to say the least.
They are using water-based finishes now, and some of the blacks are not
black enough, although I understand that Webb Phillips has one that is
truly black.

I would contact him first before I did anything to this instrument if
you are trying to get a "restored shiny black finish":

  Webb Phillips, RPT
  tel: 888-622-7426

Good luck with the project.

Ana Gerard