Piano Black Maintenance

[scanido]

Hey All,

Haven't posted here in awhile as i've been spending lots of time with my 803S/HTM3S system. After 5yrs of good service, I have decided to "upgrade" to the new 802D in Piano Black.

I posted a maintenance thread here back then on maintaining that Series, which most would still apply, but now with the new Piano Black finish I am curious how others are maintaining this?

I don't want to inadvertently introduce swirl marks so what is the best way to keep this finish new?

[emig5m]

Auto Detailer quality Microfiber rags and something like Quik Detailer from Meguiars. I use that same stuff on my Plasma screen. Light swirls that might accumulate over the years you can easily polish them out by hand with Meguiars Swirl Remover 2.0 (worked great on my used Sunfire that had obviously been cleaned with paper towels and had plenty of spider webs/swirl marks.) Swirl marks haven't returned using a proper cleaning method after the initial polish when I brought it home. Ultimate Quik Detailer (black bottle) will give more "pop" than normal Quik detailer but costs more and wouldn't use that stuff on a display screen. Whatever you do, quality Microfiber rags and some type of lubrication is pretty much it - doesn't have to be the Meguiars brand (it's just readily available everywhere and is quality/trustworthy stuff).

[HedgeHog]

I'm worried that using a polymer-based car detailing product may not be optimal for wood. The guitar guys always suggested using stuff that lets the material breathe. So I purchased a piano care polish (after it's 'piano' black) that also helps minimize static. Something like this may work: http://www.corycare.com/Merchant/mer...gory_Code=A1AC

-Hedwig

[scanido]

thanks for that bit of info. That should definitely be the first rule: Never use paper towels! Only use Microfibre cleaning cloths!

Given the finish may already be sealed due to the finishing method, auto detailing products may actually work. However, I would be concerned if there would be any discoloration overtime. The piano specific cleaning products do look interesting and probably a better fit. What it really comes down to is the type of Piano Black B&W has chosen.

Upon further looking into this topic, there appears to be two types of Piano Finish: lacquer and polyester. The latter is supposedly harder, hence less susceptible to abrasion. I wonder which type B&W has chosen?

Keep 'em coming folks! If it were'nt for that informative Maintenance thread back then I likely wouldn't have received the top dollar value for my trade-in's today.

[gerardhn]

I have piano black !

No need for maintenance....! as long you dont touch nothing happens!

every week I remove only dust from black marlan head because there thin layer of dust.

Body? Nothing happens! Dont touch.

Thank You.

[SPACEMANRICK]

I think the piano black looks awesome if you have a modern contemporary design to your house and furnishings.

When I was in the B&W showroom, the salesman told me the piano black looks great as long as you don't touch them...unless you have kids or lots of people in your music room I don't think the maintenance should be much of an issue. I have a black car though and that is a PIA to keep clean!

[ninja12]

I have a black car though and that is a PIA to keep clean!

That's one statement I can agree with 3 times. I have 3 black vehicles, and they are definitely a PITA to keep clean; but, once they are clean, they look really good. :B :B

As for the speakers, I have 802Ds, and I use a micro-fiber cloth to clean the marlan head. So far, no swirls and they are still very shiny.

[style]

hi,
I go have my new 802DI in piano black next week too.

I'm a little "scary" for the color...I have always had Rosenut from B&W....

now the Rosenut is not available : Piano black o Cherry. I decide for the Black.

(next Rosenut release is 1 month, I don't will wait this time without speaker)

If was a "llittle" 805-804di without doubt : piano black but a big 802di is another thing....

like gerardhn say me the marlan head is too a black part to clean.
is the "last speaker" was a 804-803" with the new 802 for the upgrade the "marlan" is a news too......

[wettou]

dust is an issue with piano black, my JL Audio F113 need dusting once a week :T

[JürgenW]

thanks for that bit of info. That should definitely be the first rule: Never use paper towels! Only use Microfibre cleaning cloths!

There are different kind of Microfibre cleaning cloths: some for general use, some for sensitive surfaces like glass or shining lacquers. In general one can recognize the kind of type when seeing and touching them: how softer there are how better they are suited for sensitive surfaces.

(I know this because the surfaces of our kitchen has a sensitive surface: a shining lacquer.)

I would only use a dust cloth, (probably with some kind of anti static).

[gerardhn]

I recall:
it is simple!
No wax, no chemicals.
Nothing happens with the body... just dont touch.!

Only marlan head and horizontal area around it (and of course plastic foot)

[style]

I go receive my 802Di in Piano black next week.

At fisrt the Rosenut was my choice but after a discusin with my freind from Classe/B&W and the piece available in a few day I decide for the Piano black

for the maintenance B&W send me a "polish" marked B&W: made for the speaker B&W in Piano black :T

not other "extern product" only what the brand of made for your speakers :W

of course only Microfibre cloths.

Style

[gerardhn]

Style,

Now you say I remember that B&W polish exists.
They forgot to give me.
May I ask for it as after service??

[wettou]

Do not use any thing on it it will damage the finish!

[dukester]

My REL's (Piano Blk) Instruction Manual recommends using Griot's Spray on Wax...

[wettou]

Wax builds up and destroys your wood