Harp Cover Restoration Options

Started by David Aubke, March 12, 2012, 11:30:15 AM

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David Aubke

I've been working on the harp cover from a Mark I for a while now. I've got it sanded down below the leatherette texture but am unsure how to proceed.

I've seen several threads about repainting the cover. While these have all looked good, I have a fairly strong aversion to the addition of a surface coating. For some reason, painting represents to me a much larger departure from "original" than settling for an imperfect texture. I don't expect to be able to restore the original texture (unless anyone knows a trick?). My goal was to somehow establish a satin surface on the.. ABS is it?

As it's going, it looks like my only option is to buff it to a high gloss. Anything less, and I'm left with visible sanding marks. I've got it down to about 600 grit right now and it looks good from a distance.

Anyone know of a way to create a matte or satin surface on this material?

The Vintage Vibe replacement top may end up being my final solution but I would very much prefer to use the original part. My top isn't in bad shape, it just doesn't look right
Dave Aubke
Shadetree Keys

dnarkosis

A couple of coats of Armoral or STP Son of a Gun vinyl protectant will restore the gloss.
1979 Suitcase 73
1980 Stage 54

David Aubke

Thanks. I'm not having trouble getting a shine. I've already got too much in fact. I need a texture.

I think I'm going to try bead blasting it.
Dave Aubke
Shadetree Keys

dnarkosis

Sorry; I misunderstood what you meant by texture; I see what you mean now, but I don't recall any threads on this particular problem.
1979 Suitcase 73
1980 Stage 54

David Aubke

No problem. Appreciate any help.

The harp covers are going to be an ongoing problem for me. They're one of the few things on the piano - and a very visible one - which it seems impossible for me to restore to original appearance. My only options seem to be purchasing a replacement if it's a Mark I or accept the scratches. I don't like either of those options, particularly when the cover is otherwise in good shape.
Dave Aubke
Shadetree Keys

dlux

On my mkII I sanded all the scratches out. I used an adhesion promoter and let it dry thoroughly. Then Krylon Fusion paint (which is made specifically for plastic) It is available in satin as well as semi-gloss. My harp cover turned out great. It almost looks like leather. Good luck. D-Lux

pastorwayne

You know if you (we) were talking about about a 72 Strat / Tele all scratched up... we wouldn't dream of refinishing it. We'd just play it and think the scratches and rust add character.  But when it comes to a Rhodes, we want to restore it (like a car). Why is that?  :)
(I admit, I'm the same way)

David Aubke

Quote from: dlux on March 14, 2012, 11:30:29 PMOn my mkII I sanded all the scratches out. I used an adhesion promoter and let it dry thoroughly. Then Krylon Fusion paint (which is made specifically for plastic) It is available in satin as well as semi-gloss. My harp cover turned out great. It almost looks like leather. Good luck. D-Lux

I suppose I should get over my thing about painting.

Quote from: pastorwayne on March 15, 2012, 06:10:14 AMYou know if you (we) were talking about about a 72 Strat / Tele all scratched up... we wouldn't dream of refinishing it. We'd just play it and think the scratches and rust add character.  But when it comes to a Rhodes, we want to restore it (like a car). Why is that?

Usually this is because refinishing greatly diminishes the resale value of vintage instruments. Rhodes pianos have not achieved this relic status. Not many folks seem to care if everything is original.

Most times our customers only refrain from altering their instruments when they're actually aware of its vintage appeal. Otherwise, they want things looking brand new as much as anyone else. Just the other day one of our reps talked an old-timer out of gluing pickguard material to the top of his 1920s Lloyd Loar A-style mandolin.
Dave Aubke
Shadetree Keys

pianotuner steveo

Pastorwayne,

Not to change the topic, but I see pros using old beat up looking guitars all the time. I get upset if any of my guitars get a tiny ding or scratch, just as if it were a car. I have actually repainted a few plain, solid color electric guitars over the years because of this!

My main acoustic has a ding near the pickguard, and I cant stand looking at it, so the best i could do was fill it in with clear nail polish...
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

David Aubke

Some vintage guitar afficionados are pretty militant about alterations. They'll tell you it's not even within your rights to refinish your own instrument if it's from certain eras. Repair operations will often refuse jobs that destroy vintage appeal.
Dave Aubke
Shadetree Keys

pastorwayne

I think you guys are right on with your comments. It's just funny..... I do have a couple of electrics I won't let anyone touch because I'm concerned about getting scratches on them :) I think I'd be better off playing them with all I've got and not worrying about them... know what I mean? My Rhodes on the other hand certainly looks likes it's been on the road. But it has and has cool history behind it, so I'm not about to restore it. I just pay it

dnarkosis

#11
FWIW I inherited my father's 1935 Martin hollow-body (because I still have the invoice, it's still under warranty; for real), which as a very small child I dinged a bit. Martin Guitars in Nazareth, PA, was not interested in getting the dings out and on two separate occasions vehemently discouraged me from having them or anyone else do it. But I think most of us get wanting to re-Tolex a Rhodes. The harp cover is a different story at least for me. Even a couple of deep scratches don't bother me that much after a couple of coats of protectant. Dlux's Krylon Fusion solution is the first I've really seen for scratches. Paint has always seemed iffy to me because the harp cover is so flexible.
1979 Suitcase 73
1980 Stage 54

pianotuner steveo

Just for the record, I was talking about repainting cheapie guitars, such as Squires, Kalamazoos, etc..

My Rickenbacker has a belt buckle scratch on the back (luckily just the back) and I would not attempt to repaint that guitar....

1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...