Replacing veneer on a piano can be a real job.  Currently I am
restoring a Western Electric Derby Race Horse piano.

The previous restorer used a thin piece of plywood glued to the
original case with contact cement.  Contact cement never holds wood
to wood for a long period of time so don't use contact cement.  That
is one lesson from this project.  The other restorer had also taken
all the crossbanding off with a chisel so the case had been torn up.
I repaired all the torn up places with wormy chestnut from old pianos.

I have re-veneered this piano per the owners request with a technique
known as hammer veneering.  This method is a great way for a small shop
to re-veneer a piano.  I used 1/16-inch thick veneer that is quarter
sawn white oak.  I was lucky to obtain some really pretty oak on my
first order.  My second and third orders I had to return because there
was very little flake in it.  The crossbanding I had from a previous
job was perfect.

Hammer veneering is done with hot hide glue.  I use a paint brush
to apply the glue, which is faster than the little brushes you would
use for everyday repair work.  The glue has to be thick and not thin.
A veneer hammer can be obtained from many of the woodworking supply
houses.  I also use a hot iron to help keep the glue flowing.  This
method works very well and duplicates the original.

Don Teach