Hello Andy,  A "Painted Player" -- Yep, been there, done that!

Years ago (meaning in the late 'seventies) I had a player in the shop
to rebuild, and the case was not that great.  I had the great idea to
rebuild it for the Independence Day auction being held on July 4th!
After all, it was the 200th birthday of the great country.  My shop
just happened to be in the rear of this large antique mall.

I restored the player, and it was great.  Now for that case.  In
a weak moment I decided on a patriotic theme: I painted the case "Red,
White, and Blue."  I used the plastic base paints that when dry have
that bright, "still wet" look.  It turned out just great.

Now here comes the auction day.  There was a very large crowd, with
lots of money.  My player sold with no trouble, getting a respectable
900.00 dollars.  Remember, this was 1976.

After the auction, I was back in my shop when the buyers of the piano
dropped by to discuss the player.  They had no idea that I was the
person who painted the piano.  "We just purchased this player piano at
the auction," the wife told me.  "It plays so good, and I know we will
just love it."  Then came the "but."

"But we just cannot stand the 'Red, White, and Blue' that some idiot
painted it,"  she said.  "How much it would cost to refinish the case?"

I forget what I charged them but, believe me, it could not have been
enough.  Gallons of stripper later, and lots of filler and veneer work,
it did look okay.

Just a bad memory from the past.  If the customer wants it painted,
go for it!  If it is for personal use, go for it!  Just don't try it
on speculation.

Al Pebworth
Chesapeake, Virginia
http://www.pebworths.com/