It's Okay to Paint A Piano

I found a piano last year and bought it for myself as a Mother's Day gift. It turned out to be a big hassle getting it home and even then we couldn't get it in the house. It sat in our garage for months until one day I remembered our friend, Jeremy, telling me pianos come apart. I managed to take it apart, fix it up real nice, and then put it back together in our living room. It was a lot of work but I'm so happy with what it adds to our home. Here's how I did it and a few things I learned along the way.

Prior to buying a piano you should think about how you're going to get it home. Are you going to need to borrow or rent a truck? Do you have willing helpers who will be able to get it from point A to point B? You'll also want to think about the cost of materials to sand and repaint your new piano as well as the cost of tuning it once it's settled in at your house.

The first thing I did was power sand the larger outside surfaces of the piano and then hand sand the detailed and delicate parts. After wiping everything down with a damp cloth and letting it dry, I started taking it apart. I suggest taking step-by-step photos as you go in case you can't put it back together right away and forget what goes where and in which order. 

Pianos vary from model to model but the basics are kind of standard. I first lifted the lid back on the very top to access two latches that held the top front panel in place. Once those were unlatched I could remove the panel. I set it aside and then found out that I needed to take off the lid to the keys. It folds back so you need to take care you don't smash your fingers. Once your lid is off you can see all the keys. There will be a thin board that spans the keys that you'll also need to remove. Next, you will want to remove the hammer rail which is what is shown below. It's a huge piece and can be removed by yourself but I do suggest asking for help so you don't accidentally drop it. Place it gently out of the way as it's a delicate piece.

The next step is to remove your keys. They may or may not be numbered. Mine were numbered in two places so it didn't matter if they got moved around but if yours are not numbered you'll want to write on them near the end that strikes. Once they're all out you may want to use an air compressor to blow out any dust or debris that has settled under your keys. Don't vacuum things up because you may lose a few felt pads in the process! 

As you can see in the photo above I replaced some of the keys in the keyboard but not before sliding the keyboard out from the piano case. This not only made our piano much lighter, it made it half as wide, which allowed us to finally roll the piano through the back door and into our living room. If your piano is as heavy as ours was you'll want to ensure you don't ruin your floors (if wooden or laminate) by placing something under the wheels or getting it on a rolling device. 

I wanted to get my piano inside before painting it so I could be sure of the color. I could've refinished it but I knew I really wanted to paint it a subtle color. It was big so I wanted it to be something light and soft that would coordinate with the rest of the colors in our living room. I also wanted to choose something I knew I wouldn't get tired of a year later. Wooden pianos are beautiful and I don't like painting most of our wood furniture as much as I did three years ago but this was begging to be painted. 

I went to Lowe's and picked out Valspar's Paint and Primer in One and got it tinted to their Icy Mint (6001-7A) in an eggshell finish. I wanted a high gloss but told the employee my son was going to be taking lessons and she suggested something that wouldn't show fingerprints as easily. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I think a high gloss would look great if it were the focal point of the room or if it were a bolder color. I then used a Minwax Polycrylic sealant that she suggested but it had a yellowing effect on the paint so I'm not confident in suggesting it.

Using both a paint roller and small brush, I followed manufacturer's directions with the paint and primer in one and applied two coats with 24 hours drying time in between in order to let it set. I did not resand in between coats. I actually put the keyboard back on before painting and then painted the keyboard lid and front panel separately before putting them back on. However, I painted the ends of the lid and the top of the pieces where the lid rests and then realized after they were dry that it added enough of a layer to make the pieces too tight to fit properly. I had to resand the ends to get the paint off before they'd fit. I also painted over the brass hinges instead of taping them. The paint is coming off on it's own and is much easier than trying to tape things.

As you can see below I haven't reattached the bottom panel as I misplaced it in my garage until last weekend. Hooray! I also chose not to paint the inside of my keyboard lid because I didn't want to paint over the label. I did, however, drill two holes in the lid in order to add knobs to make it easier for the kids to open and close. 

I considered a few things before deciding to go ahead and paint it. I had heard that painting a piano can affect it's sound but after reading up on a few websites and hearing comments from pianists and tuners alike that as long as you don't paint the sound board (the back piece in this piano's case), painting the piano wouldn't cause enough of a change to be noticeable. I also resist the idea of painting most vintage wooden furniture these days but I loved the idea of a painted piano more than a wooden one. It wasn't a fancy antique so I wasn't necessarily devaluing it, plus I know it's going to be enjoyed in our family for quite awhile. 

Our piano has been situated near a wall with a window that starts just above it, so it's currently holding a few plants. I'm already thinking about ways we can decorate it for the holidays! I was told pianos need to sit for a few weeks after being transported so we're just about ready to call a tuner to come over and get it adjusted so we can start Sebastian on lessons. 

Painting a piano doesn't have to feel like an impossible project but it will take a little space, a little time, and a little elbow grease. Just promise me you won't take any short cuts and paint it all in one piece. If you paint it shut you'll never be able to get it tuned and you'll be up a creek.

Did you take lessons as a kid? What kept you going? I'm thinking maybe a huge jar of bubble gum on the lid as an incentive.

-Rachel

 

Comments

[Elizabeth]

I almost had a heart attack when I first saw photos of your piano, but the more I think about this idea the more I love it! I think I grew up thinking that musical instruments were sacred (some people feel this way about books) but there's no reason to make everything so serious. I think it's a brave move and the end result is beautiful.

My tip (as a former piano teacher) is to invest in a piano stool for Sebastian. It's so important to get hand position and posture right from the very start, and he'll need a little foot rest until his feet can reach the floor. Don't worry about the pedals - he won't be using those for a little while yet!

[Romneymarsh]

A piano stool was the first thing I thought of too! Makes it much easier to play.

You can try all sorts of things to get a child to stick with piano lessons but at the core they just have to want to do it themselves. It helps if they have someone else to play with - either on the piano or a duet with another instrument. There has to be a point to learning the piano, or else why bother? How about recital night once a week where you all play? I think, if you demonstrate enjoyment playing it yourself then that is worth more than any amount of bubblegum.

[Rosie W]

It looks brilliant! I wish I had room for a piano in my home!
Rosie x

www.everywordhandwritten.blogspot.co.uk

[Cathy]

A piano is the last thing I'd think of painting but probably the most interesting and dramatic of all home decor ideas! Good job!

Cathy
Turquoise Flamingo
http://www.turquoiseflamingo.com/

[rachel]

My kids don't play piano (violin and drums) but the most fun they have is when they play together or with their dad on banjo. Violin, drums, and banjo might not seem like the most likely grouping, but they don't seem to mind.

[Sena Dees]

I think it's important to have goals when learning piano (or any instrument). I learned as a child, but I hated practice. WHen I started doing recitals, even just ones for friends, I started to love practicing. When there is an end goal that's attainable, it's so much better. So instead of gum for practicing, maybe gum for playing little bow peep through. Or a piece for playing a scale with the correct hand position. Then there's something to worker towards while practicing, and at the end of practicing you can go in and he can show you what he did!

[Kari]

I LOVE YOUR PIANO! When I first saw it in your pictures of your living room a few weeks ago, I was instantly smitten. My husband thinks it's a great idea, too, and has promised to work on it with me someday. I'm going to hold him to that:) You're right--it's hard to paint over wood, but with it being such a large piece of furniture, the light and airy color is perfect. Thank you so much for the tutorial. I really appreciated your last line about not cutting corners and painting as one big piece (because in all honesty that is what I would probably have done:) Enjoy it and have a great day!

[Kristen]

such a beautiful project! I agree with many when I say when I first saw it, I was a little skeptical. Pianos are to be wood! But you're right, things are changing, and in this creative world, why not paint a piano! I actually see so many free pianos on kijiji and want them all.

I agree with the many comments, a piano stool would be a great idea! It's good to get started on good piano habits early.

Thanks for sharing!

[Becky Loose From The Zoo]

oh my gosh this is brilliant!! i quit piano lessons when i was about 9 years old, but i've always loved the way they look in a room. and i'm committed to forcing my kids through piano lessons when they're young because it is such good brain exercise. i am absolutely painting it if we ever put one in our house!! gorgeous!

<3becky
www.loosefromthezoo.com

[Susan]

I took piano lessons from around 8-14 and liked playing. For me I liked that my teacher wasn't very strict and that she had a variety of music, including more popular stuff.

[Bekah Decker]

Looks fantastic! Perfect for your house:)

[~ Jennifer J.]

I loved your painted piano from the first moment I saw it. And I really appreciate this tutorial! I'm currently scouting for one to paint myself, and this info. will come in handy once I get one. {Thank you!}

[Diana]

It made out beautifully! I'd been admiring this piano for weeks now.

xo
Diana
http://unusuallylovely.com

[Grace]

I took lessons as a kid for about 6 years. One of the things that kept me going was a trophy that all 6 year students got. I eventually lost all memory of the songs that I learned, I'm not a very musical person. My parents always had to force me to practice but I liked the idea of knowing songs by heart. It's a pretty big accomplishment for kids! I love the color of your piano though!

Grace
http://gracep-photos.blogspot.com

[Umsonstunddrinnen.blogspot.com]

You did a great and brave job!

[Kasey Kuchinski]

I just LOVE this, what a perfect color choice and I'm kind of in love with the exposed back. kind of modern industrial? love it! I probably would've liked playing my violin more if it was painted a pretty color! hahah! my mom made me play that thing from 6 to 18, and I HATED it!! but it did teach me discipline. thankfully, though, she also caught me in the attic with my grandma's sewing kit making doll clothes out of her summer clothes, and put me in sewing classes instead of getting angry! so, that made up for the violin I guess! ;)
xx
Kasey

[A Rambling Fancy]

this is SO CUTE! I've been trying to convince my boyfriend to give me his piano and let me paint it but so far no such luck. I'll keep workin on it though ;) Pinning this now!

[Lindsay]

Looks great! You had some patience :)

[Ashleigh]

Beautiful! Practicing the piano was part of my allowance! But maybe Sebastian could earn extra screen time or something!

[Jess]

I was always told the pianos sound was maintained better after tuning if it sat on an internal wall. I'd be worried having it so close to a window it would loose its tune so quickly after spending so much on having it tuned to begin with,, just a thought,

[Emilie]

So, you totally CAN paint a piano...however, it will drastically change the tone the piano produces. Most people may not care, but it does seriously compromise the sound.

[Amanda]

My sister and I took piano lessons for 5-6 years as kids, and we both hate, hate, hated practicing. Like, tantrum-throwing levels of hatred. BUT, twenty years later we both still play. Now it is a source of relaxation, which makes me feel a bit guilty toward my mom for having to put up with us.
I guess what I'm trying to say is this: If he doesn't like it, don't lose hope. I'm sure my mom thought we would never touch a piano again after we quit lessons. Surprise! I'm so glad she made us stick with it.

[sarah kate branine]

You are amazing. The end.

p.s. Love that you lost the bottom panel in your garage for a few weeks : ) Also, I took lessons from the age of four through undergrad and ended up minoring in music. My big, big project this year is publishing a digital Christmas album of 9 original compositions. It's mostly for my boys to have some day. The project was born out of me playing on the piano each night after dinner while my little guys horse around with their daddy. I'm so excited!

[sarah kate branine]

p.s.s. Bubble gum would've *totally* kept me going!

[Kate @ Songs Kate Sang]

I think it is absolutely lovely!

[Beth]

Beautiful! I learnt piano for 14 years and love it, I still love to play today. Learning new songs was a motivation in itself, but sometimes for extra encouragement my mum would put a paper bag with a little treat inside on the top of the piano. I'd have to tick off a certain number of practices and then I could have the suprise! It was often a cute pen or eraser or something like that. xx

[Cookie]

My goodness....I am tired from reading the post!! You are one motivated chickie!! :)

[Rayani]

Ooh, looks so cool!
You're very talented!
Love to visit your blog!

Hugs from Brasil