I have been totally enthralled with the stories of how the old black
finishes were done (at least in Europe).  I know, however, that the
Lester piano I have in the shop to work on (original finish) is not of
that category of piano (expensive), so just how many types of "shiny
black finishes" are there (excluding polyester)?

I can see a Boesendorfer with a French polish finish, but in today's
market how many of us (or manufacturers, for that matter) are willing
or able to put on a finish which is that labor intensive?

After reading about the acid and pumice done with bare hands I'm all for
the new finishes that are available that are not only environmentally
safe but safe for us health-wise.  I thought we were on our way to
eliminating turn of the century problems such as lead poisoning,
silicosis, black lung, etc., but maybe not.

By the way, speaking of finishes, I'm sure some of you have come up
with pianos that have that ghastly fake wood grain paint that was
popular during the 1960s.  I have two inexpensive grands and a customer
has an upright with that "stuff" on it.  I've been toying with the idea
of just giving it a good sanding and spraying them black, but I think
it was an enamel paint.  Any ideas?

(I think I'm getting a Karmic payback because of finishing a piece of
fine furniture with this stuff way back when I was young and allowed
a clerk to talk me into using it.  Ah well -- the foibles of youth!)

Ana Gerard