Polyester repair question.

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sescott
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Polyester repair question.

Post by sescott »

Hi,
I have just placed a deposit on a premium quality upright piano.
It has a beautiful tone and a refined action.
One slight problem is that the piano has been knocked in transit and there is a small amount of damage to the polyester finish at one corner.
The dealer will repair it and has said that the repair will be perfect, durable and completely invisible. He also states that if I have any concerns whatsoever once the piano is shipped, he will swap it with one straight from the factory in Germany.
Can anyone tell me if a repair of this sort is likely to be totally permanent or is it likely to degrade with time?
Trying this piano involved a 700 mile round trip so, it is unlikely that I would be able to try a replacement piano prior to delivery.
Any help with this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Stephen
Barrie Heaton
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Re: Polyester repair question.

Post by Barrie Heaton »

Pianos are big and a pain to move the best of the removal company's will mark a piano at some time. Black polyester is one of the easiest ones to repair chipped edges sometimes can be tricky and a few visits need to be made to make it invisible but once done you can't tell and lasts as long as the piano.

White Polyester Hmm very difficult to get a good match . Mahogany and other woods if the veneer is intact then the same as black but if it is damages or bruised then getting an invisible finish is harder but not impossible

Some of the cheaper makes have a very thin coat of Polyester doing edges on them can be a challenge

Hope that helps

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sescott
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Re: Polyester repair question.

Post by sescott »

Many thanks Barrie. The finish is black polyester and the piano is from a very good maker so it should be thick. I am much reassured.
Regards,
Stephen
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Colin Nicholson
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Re: Polyester repair question.

Post by Colin Nicholson »

Is this the "top quality" Haesslar piano? ...... not any more :(
Who is moving it.... Laurel & Hardy? !!


If the piano has been damaged, they should offer another piano without question, and let them repair the damaged one for their show room. Very rare is a repair like that perfect - done them. Get it swapped asap.

I hope you haven't paid the balance yet?
Yes, there may be problems getting them back when distance is involved.

Depending on what you have paid, the piano should be like it was originally viewed.... no less.

If we move new poly pianos (or top notch 2nd hand), they are always covered in a quilted piano cover for protection.

Good luck

Colin
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vernon
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Re: Polyester repair question.

Post by vernon »

If I were the dealer I would just send you the new one when it arrives and repair the damaged one back in the workshop with all the equipment to hand and no rush.
The amount of jars,colours burnishing gear,resin etc needed for the smallest blemish is amazing
Our mission in life is to tune customers--not pianos.

Any fool can make a piano-- it needs a tuner to put the music in it

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sescott
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Re: Polyester repair question.

Post by sescott »

Colin Nicholson wrote:Is this the "top quality" Haesslar piano? ...... not any more :(
Who is moving it.... Laurel & Hardy? !!


If the piano has been damaged, they should offer another piano without question, and let them repair the damaged one for their show room. Very rare is a repair like that perfect - done them. Get it swapped asap.

I hope you haven't paid the balance yet?
Yes, there may be problems getting them back when distance is involved.

Depending on what you have paid, the piano should be like it was originally viewed.... no less.

If we move new poly pianos (or top notch 2nd hand), they are always covered in a quilted piano cover for protection.

Good luck

Colin
Colin,
Many thanks for your reply. No, it is not the Haessler. In the end I went for a much more expensive model so there is perhaps every reason to be sure that the one I get will be in perfect condition.
Regards,
Stephen
Barrie Heaton
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Re: Polyester repair question.

Post by Barrie Heaton »

For me as you like the tone and touch of the one you have got I would go for the repair, if not happy then you can ask for a replacement As to the one that comes direct from the factory it may not be to your liking unless you are going to look at it first

Barrie
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Re: Polyester repair question.

Post by Colin Nicholson »

I would agree with you there Barrie - good point.
Thing for Stephen to bear in mind is that none of us know the piano or his whereabouts in the UK, or the type of repair. Should a further repair be needed (hopefully not), he will soon discover the rarity of this type of work - not many take on poly repairs, it's quite specialised. The logistics of getting out a "poly tech man" many miles away doesn't square up in my eyes, and guys like this are very thin on the ground.

Good luck though whichever choice is made

:piano;
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sescott
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Re: Polyester repair question.

Post by sescott »

Hi and thanks to all who replied. In the end, I decided to wait for a new piano to be delivered to the dealer. I will audition it before accepting delivery but I am hoping things will go smoothly. I am not so relaxed about scrapes dings and dents so for me I feel it is the right decision. The dealer has been very supportive.
Stephen
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Colin Nicholson
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Re: Polyester repair question.

Post by Colin Nicholson »

Ask WHO is delivering the piano to your home.... themselves, or another company. ?
If delivery is extra (and incorporated into the piano invoice, and shown separately), you have the right to remove that option, and arrange your own delivery company - but it depends on their policies. Also ask if the piano is kept in storage for any periods of time, and ask if the piano will be covered with a proper quilted piano cover during all aspects of the removal. If you need any assistance, email me for a good UK recommendation - very professional, piano properly protected and efficient movers of upright and grand pianos.

Colin
AA Piano Tuners UK

Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
Piano tuning & repairs. Full UK restoration service
http://www.aatuners.com
Tuition ~ Accompaniment ~ Weddings
http://www.pianotime1964.com
Member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen
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