Synonym for quality (CP 2/2009)

Piano paints have to be both brilliant and resistant. This market segment is a small but attractive one for BASF Coatings.

 Piano finishes are expected to retain their shine and scratch resistance for a long, long time.

BASF Coatings manufactures these specialty coatings, and supplies all of Europe’s leading piano manufacturers.

“It is a small market, but a profitable one. Our products in this specialized market are extremely successful,” relates Reinhard Wiesing, head of BASF’s Wood Coatings Lab.

Piano paints are based on unsaturated polyester resins, condensed from alcohols and acids at 200 degrees Celsius.

(Picture: fotalia)

Pigments are then mixed in along with other additives, for example for keeping the liquid paint from running on vertical surfaces and determining how quickly the paint will set and harden.

An applied coating has a thickness of one millimeter and is thus roughly 200 times thicker than a car finish. BASF Coatings piano paints are also used for fine furniture and in shipbuilding in addition to musical instruments.

Car makers used the paints for wood deco finishes in car interiors until a few years ago. When industry specifications changed, BASF Coatings responded to the heightened requirements with new specialty paints.

Refined instruments: Premium quality pianos have both a superb sound and an immaculate appearance. (Picture: fotalia)