Uncovering Solid Brass: The Art of Restoring 100-Year-Old Piano Hardware

When people think of piano restoration, they often picture restringing the soundboard, replacing hammers, or refinishing the wooden cabinet. But true heirloom restoration means giving attention to every single detail—including the metal hardware that gives a piano its classic elegance.

Recently, our technician Korban came by the office to share a process he was working on that was simply too cool not to show off.

More Than Just Pedals

On a typical 100-year-old grand piano, you’ll find an array of metal hardware:

Hinges along the lid and music desk

Casters & Ferrules supporting the legs

Locks built into the fallboard

Pedals (Sustain, Una Corda, Sostenuto)

Over decades of use, sweat, dust, and natural oxidation turn these bright metallic accents into dark, tarnished, or dirty nickel-looking pieces.

A Surprising Discovery on a Steinway

While working on a set of pedals for a vintage Steinway grand piano, Korban initially thought the pedals were simple brass-plated nickel. However, as he began the buffing process, he made an exciting discovery: they were solid brass.

To demonstrate the dramatic difference, Korban created a side-by-side comparison:

Before: Dull, tarnished, dirty-nickel appearance.

After: A brilliant, mirror-like solid brass polish.

How We Restore Piano Hardware
Inspection & Compound Selection: Depending on the metal composition and level of corrosion, different polishing pastes and compounds are selected.

Buffing: Using a high-speed buffing wheel and precision pressure, tarnish is safely stripped away layer by layer.

Protective Lacquer: Once a mirror shine is achieved, a clear protective coat of lacquer is applied to seal the brass and prevent future oxidation.

It’s small details like restored hardware that truly bring a 100-year-old piano back to its original grandeur.

Have an heirloom piano in need of restoration? Reach out to our team at Brigham Larson Pianos for a FREE heirloom piano restoration quote!