Yamaha Electone E3R cabinet/bench refinishing

[Larason2]

Now that I have a new organ, I will soon start looking for a new home for my previous organ. It is a Yamaha Electone E3R (I previously thought it was an E30, but I was mistaken). The electronics were in very poor condition when I got it, so I ended up gutting it, and putting a Midi Boutique HWCE2 with the SM8x8 boards. Following John Kinkennon's advice, I built a custom bracket for the expression pedal to mount a 10k Linear potentiometer for the pedal. However, since the unit has had to be near a window for much of it's time with me, I have found the finish of the bench is starting to wear off, possibly from use, but possibly also from light damage. Since I am going to find a new home for it, I don't want to go to the trouble of doing a thorough refinish of the bench. My wife suggested I find a new home for it as is, but I have been reading some of the other forum posts on the subject, and came across Howard Restor-a-finish. Would something like this be recommended prior to finding a new home, or should I just proceed with it as it is? It is still in pretty good condition, but I find that when my daughter touches it with greasy hands, the oil now tends to mark it, whereas it didn't before. I have some pictures attached. Thanks for any advice!

[handyczech]

I have used the Howard product on some American antique furniture and I am not a fan. Others may disagree, but my background is based on working for a famous large Hammond-Steinway dealer in Chicago in the '60s. As I recall when working for a Yamaha dealer and selling these new years ago, the finish was more similar to what can be described as "open pore" much like old stereo component speaker cabinets. Added to that, the Japanese did not use the American methodology of stained wood filer, followed by sanding sealer, then several coats of nitrocellulose lacquer. I would clean the bench gently with a detergent and ammonia wash, with a rag well wrung out, followed by a clear water rinse with a rag well wrung out. Lately I have had some success in removing the grime from human touch using the so called "Magic Eraser" product, lightly and with care. I would experiment with a water based poly such as Minwax in the blue can, either satin or flat depending on the sheen of the rest of the organ, applied with a poly brush as foam brushes may create bubbles. Buy a couple sheets of black 220 and 400 grit sandpaper to sand lightly before and between coats, and wipe the dust created with slightly dampened paper towels after each sanding. This should leave you with a clean durable finish, most similar to the original, which was probably poly based in the first place rather than our traditional lacquer or varnish based finishes used here. This may be satisfactory with the least amount of cost and effort as opposed to a complete refinish which may make this worse.

[Larason2]

That is very helpful, thanks so much! I intend to follow your advice, and I'll post back on the results when I'm finished. Cheers!

[Larason2]

I just finished this project, and I have to say your advice was golden Larry, thanks so much! I ended up just refinishing the bench top, as it was the only real part that really needed refinishing. I bought the Minwax Polycrylic Satin, and a good quality nylon brush. Ammonia is impossible to find here in Canada, so I cleaned it with a detergent wash similar to Mr. Clean, and then again with plain water. I sanded with 200 grit and 330 grit sandpaper (the closest I could find to your recommendation), and wiped off the wood dust with a well wrung out cloth. I wasn't able to apply all three coats the same day, and the instructions recommended letting 3 days between coats if you can't apply the next coat after 1.5 hours, so it took me 9 days to finish it! It looks great, and I am very pleased with the Poly you recommended. It smells not bad, goes on easily, clean up is a breeze, and it looks great when you are finished. I found a local organist who lost his organ posting when Covid-19 started, and doesn't have an instrument at home to practice on to take it, so soon it will be in its new and appreciative home. Please find a picture attached. Thanks again!

[handyczech]

I am glad this worked out for you. Fixing finishes of any kind requires patience, acceptance of imperfections, all with the hope that the furniture was not exposed to silicone based furniture polish. Then the job gets tough.................