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Hi,

I will fill/glue few small gaps between soundboard and inner rim on a baby grand owned by my aunt. The gaps have no affect on the sound, quality of piano, or anything else, it is only cosmetic thing. I was reading a lot and found out that many first class technicians recommend epoxy as the best solution for this job. Epoxy will be used just for filling/glueing 2 or 3 small gaps. The soundboard is otherwise perfect with no crack.

The job is very easy but there is one thing that I don't know. I looked all the posts about epoxy on piano world but never saw discussion about solvent based vs. solvent-free epoxy. I discovered there are both epoxies available on the market: with solvent and solvent-free. I would like to ask you if I should use solvent based or solvent-free epoxy or it is not so much important ?

Remember this is NOT repair, it s only cosmetic issue. It looks nicer without small gaps.

Thanks

You can fill the gap with bees wax and color it to match the wood. That is what Mason & Hamlin did for many years. No mess. No damage. No worries when rebuild time comes and the epoxy is in the way.

You could also use the hot melt lacquer stick, they come in many different colors that can be mixed to match your base color. I'm with Ed...I'd avoid epoxy.

Hi,

Thanks for answers. I will consider both advices, it sounds great and simple. I might do this.

But I am still curious and would like to know which epoxy is better: with solvent or without solvent? I am asking this because I never discovered any discussion about it. It is always about epoxy as epoxy but never epoxy with solvent vs. solvent-free epoxy. I would like to know if there is any big difference when you use it for piano.

I have no intention, as I really think bees wax might be easier way to do, but I am just curious.

Thanks.

Rather than filling any small gaps, I've noticed many grands that have a 5mm round braided cord glued around covering any minor gaps. This can look quite classy compared to a less than perfect filler job.

A very good idea. I saw many times round braided cord for covering minor gaps. Even if there is no gaps it looks nice to have braided cord.

But I saw braided cord only on the top of the soundboard (soundboard vs. outer rim). In this case I am asking for the area below the piano (soundboard vs. inner rim). Do some manufacturers also use braided cord for covering the gaps below the piano (inner rim vs. soundboard)?