The first step in achieving a perfectly smooth finish is to have perfectly smooth wooden parts. “Substrate” refers to what’s underneath the finish. If you’re interested in how they do that, here are the basic steps in making perfect piano black: The reflective qualities are a testimony to not only innovation but manufacturing prowess.Īs I’ve had opportunity to visit some piano factories, I’ve learned that piano finishes are not as much about applying the perfect finish in a dust free environment but more about levelling and polishing the black polyurethane finish to perfection. Just like a mirror, the piano reveals any and all slight imperfections. Achieving the perfect piano black is an exacting process. This is evidenced by the fact that the majority of piano sales today are finished in high polish black.īut how do they achieve this mirror finish? Piano parts are not dipped in some magically smooth plastic coating and come out looking this way. In recent decades, with the advancement of technology and engineering, piano finishes have been perfected and there is now an association with “modern piano” as being black.

But jet black has been overtaken by “piano black” as the example for the deepest, darkest, smoothest finish of comparison. It was referenced as the benchmark for black as early as the 1700’s. Have you ever heard someone describe an object as being “jet black”? Jet is derived from the French word “jaiet”, a process that dates back to the 1300’s where lignite (a type of coal) was polished to a deep sheen.

How to play paint it black on piano