Painting the inside of a Stage Case

[pcmancini]

Does anyone have any pictures of the inside bottom of a Stage Case (Mark 1)?  Is there any overriding reason - as part of a restoration - to paint or not paint the inside.

I kinda have a weird thought in my mind to paint the inside of the bottom part of the case using the same silver metallic paint they use on Gretsch Drums.  Obviously it would not be seen once everything is put back together but - well just a thought and question.

Thanks in advance.

[sean]

Certainly no harm done by painting the case interior.  

Probably a bad idea to spray the key frame, or any part of the action (it would suck to have to clean overspray off the guide pins).

Black is the best color under the keys, so that any hint of light that gets down there doesn't catch your eye between the cracks.

Ideally, you should choose a paint that will be easy to clean and does not attract dust or stick to the dust that accumulates down there.  Let the paint dry completely before you reassemble.

Realistically, it is not worth spending more than a few minutes on, and not worth a trip to the store to purchase paint.  Just use your leftover spray paint.

[pcmancini]

Thanks, I have no intention of painting anything except the case and I will not be doing anything to the key frame or any of the piano parts.

Thanks also for the suggestion on the part underneath the keys - would not have thought of that!

[axg20202]

I wouldn't bother. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of these "everything must remain stock" types, but this is one of those changes that is just not neccessary, offers no benefit and frankly is a waste of a paint. Given the choice between buying two piano's, one of which someone had decided to put paint inside, I know which one I'd choose..... Personally, I would never mod a piano in such a way that the mod could not be easily undone at a later date. You may come to regret doing that paint job. Why not spend the time and effort on something that will improve the tone or action or, if not, is at least visible!

[Spaceduck]

Hi pcman, if it helps, here's a pic of my stage case bottom under construction...


The tolex is my doing, but note the black paint sprayed around the bottom edges which, I think, was done at the Rhodes factory (does yours have the same thing?). It's just a light coat of black so you don't see any wood showing through between the keys, the gaps on the edges, etc.

Are you saying you want to do the same thing but with silver paint? If so, I think that would be cool. I doubt it would be very noticeable, but maybe if you're under bright lights it could be pretty nifty.

[pcmancini]

Are you saying you want to do the same thing but with silver paint? If so, I think that would be cool. I doubt it would be very noticeable, but maybe if you're under bright lights it could be pretty nifty.

I do not really know what mine looks like yet as I have not removed the piano from the case yet.  Thanks for the pic - that is exactly what I am looking for.

Yes I am saying I want to paint the inside of the bottom case in silver - the same mysterious silver paint they use on Gretsch Drums (or as close to it as I can come.  Gretsch does not tell or sell so I just have to go by what is on the net.)  It may have no impact other that some weird mojo.  But hey, it's my Rhodes and I don't think I am violating any Rhodes owner bylaws by doing this!

Thanks again
Paul

[rockstardave]

My keybed has the same overspray.  Pretty typical, I think.

Maybe some glow in the dark paint would be cool!  Then you could flip off the lights and see the glow between the keys