[ In 080222 MMDigest John Phillips asked:

> Was the black paint with which Aeolian covered most of the woodwork
> in its actions called Spirit Black?  And if so, what is it?

Hello MMD.  I seem to be getting into the habit of firing off a query
to MMD before having fully researched the problem myself.  Yesterday
I did what I should have, right at the start, and went to one of the
local paint stores.  They sold me a plastic pouch of black powder.

The label on it says "Spirit Dye Black. High Quality, Fade Resistant.
Dissolve In Methylated Spirits."  Persons in the U.S. may not be
familiar with the term Methylated Spirits.  It's simply ethyl alcohol
with a bitter emetic added to discourage those who prefer their
beverages unsophisticated -- and unsaddled with a hefty government tax.

The powder wasn't cheap.  25 grams (that's a bit less than an ounce)
cost me AU $13.70, which is about US $12 at the present rate of
exchange.  However, I don't expect to need a great deal -- just enough
to tidy up the scratches and scrapes of eighty years inside my Aeolian
player.  I plan to dissolve some of the powder in some made-up shellac.
I know Craig Smith isn't very keen on a powdered dye.  He had some
trouble with bubbles or lumps on the surface when he used it.  But
I just want a matte finish, not a polish.

Sadly, I don't know what the powder actually is, and you won't be
surprised to learn that I forgot to ask.

At least my query prompted some interesting answers.  (This is a
self-serving statement to make me feel less guilty.)  I like the
suggestion about dissolving an old 78 r.p.m. record in alcohol.  So,
thank you to all my respondents.  I'll pull my head in for a while now.

John Phillips in Hobart, Tasmania

 [ Leather workers know it as "USMC Black" spirit dye, especially used
 [ to dye military boots.  See, e.g., http://www.boot.com/bfaq1.shtml
 [ -- Robbie