Mohawk makes a fine stain, Ultra Penetrating Stain.  Be careful which
MinWax stain you use because usually they are a sealer as well and
reapplying is not effective.  You usually have to mix different
intensities of the stain to match the piano.  One Knabe required five.

Once the piano is stained, wipe it down quickly with naphtha to check
the color; don't use alcohol as it will pull out the stain.  Alcohol
dries too quickly to check everything, mineral spirits dry too slow,
naphtha is just right (just be sure to leave the rags outside -- fumes).

As far as a finish goes, I have found PianoLac to be superior.
Mohawk's Ultra Penetrating Stain blends well with it to make a toner
even though the stain is an alcohol base and the finish is a water
base.  The sealer closes out the grain in short order and both sealer
and topcoat level well.  There is also a filler and rubbing oil in this
product line, water lube for rubbing out is not recommended on water
based finishes.  PianoLac is available from Arthur Grudko (piano
refinisher/finish developer), email <Gutlo@bestweb.net>  845-855-2996

The material was developed by a piano refinisher who got tired of
trying every product on the market.  Arthur hired a paint chemist to
develop a formula to meet his requirements.  Since then, he refined it
through researching with the chemical companies who provide the
additives.

The black matches the old lacquer in color, black-black.  It even
matches polyester when buffed to a high gloss.  In addition to a clear
gloss topcoat, there is a Rub Effect (satin) which I will use soon.

The topcoat does not imprint even after one day.  Scratches generally
buff out easily.  I strongly urge you to try this product.

Regards,

Jon Page, piano technician
Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass.