Refinishing for Upright & Grand Pianos

A piano is often a centerpiece of the home and a piece of family history. Over time, the finish on an upright or grand piano can become worn, scratched, faded, or dull. At our piano shop in Orem, we specialize in professional piano refinishing and cabinet restoration, helping families throughout Utah Valley—and across the country—restore the beauty of their pianos while preserving their craftsmanship.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Brigham Larson pianos exceeded expectations. They took my vision of refinishing my great grandmothers piano and turned it into a show piece. They have wonderful customer service and professionalism. I would highly recommend them." —Angela Sanders

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"We recently had our grand piano refinished/restored by Brigham Larson Pianos. The piano needed some TLC. The restoration work they provided was incredible. I recommend them in a heartbeat." —Thomas McKenna

Piano refinisher at Brigham Larson Pianos wearing gloves while applying piano polish to a piano.

FREE Refinishing Quote—Show us your piano!

For a FREE piano refinishing estimate, please send a photo of your piano to info@BrighamLarsonPianos.com.

Send Piano Photo

3 Levels of Piano Refinishing

  • Level 1 — GOOD

    This refinishing option delivers a dramatic visual change by covering visible scars and scratches while keeping the original color of the piano cabinetry. Gentle sanding smooths the surface, followed by the fastest turnaround process in our shop—a fresh coat of stain and lacquer that refreshes the finish without altering its tone. To complete the update, we install new knobs and bumpers, giving your piano a polished and renewed look.

  • Level 2 — BETTER

    This refinishing process creates a nearly perfect finish by sanding the piano down to bare wood, allowing for a complete transformation with the option of a color change. Scratches are fully removed, hardware is buffed or replated, and new knobs and bumpers are installed for a refreshed look. The result is an open-pore finish that highlights the natural beauty of the wood while giving the piano a like-new appearance.

  • Level 3 — BEST

    This level of refinishing makes your piano look like it just came out of the factory. Every scar and scratch is carefully removed, with hardware expertly replated in brass or nickel for a polished finish. We give the highest attention to fine detail throughout the process, resulting in an expert-level restoration. The open-pore finish showcases the natural character of the wood while delivering a flawless, factory-new appearance.

Before & After Transformations

Piano Refinishing Questions

How do I start the piano refinishing process?

How it works:

1. Contact Us

The easiest way to begin refinishing your piano is to contact our admin team at 801-701-0113 or send us a photo of your piano for a FREE refinishing estimate.

2. Brigham Will Discuss Refinishing Options With You

Confirm the right refinishing or restoration plan for your piano with Brigham.

3. We Pick Up Your Piano

Our expert piano moving team safely transports your piano to our workshop for careful refinishing.

3. Enjoy the Transformation

Your restored piano is delivered back to your home, ready for another generation of music.

Schedule a FREE piano refinishing consultation with Brigham today!

What types of piano finishes can be restored?

Most piano finishes can be refinished, including high-gloss ebony, satin finishes, and natural wood veneers such as walnut, mahogany, oak, or cherry.

Many pianos are built with fine wood veneer over a solid structural cabinet, rather than solid wood throughout. Veneer is a thin layer of real wood applied to the surface, allowing beautiful grain patterns while maintaining structural stability.

Each type of finish and wood veneer requires different refinishing techniques to properly restore the piano’s original appearance. With careful refinishing, both veneered pianos and solid wood components can be restored to a beautiful, renewed finish.

Watch Piano Refinishing Playlist

Schedule FREE Refinishing Consultation With Brigham

Can a cosmetically damaged piano be refinished?

Yes! Many pianos with scratches, fading, worn finishes, or cosmetic damage can often be successfully refinished.

Professional piano refinishing can repair surface damage, restore worn areas, and rebuild the finish to bring back the piano’s original beauty.

VIDEO: From Wrecked to Restored: Repairing Severely Damaged 2003 Yamaha C2 Grand Piano!

Missing cosmetic piano part? No problem!

VIDEO: 3D Printing Missing Wood Trim for a 100-Year-Old Erard Grand Piano From Paris!

VIDEO: Custom Music Desk Designed with the CNC Machine!

VIDEO: 3D Printing Missing 19th Century Grand Piano Lid Part—in 5 min!

Even pianos that look dull or heavily worn can often be transformed through careful refinishing.

The best way to determine what is possible is to send us a photo of your piano so we can evaluate its condition and discuss refinishing options.

When should a piano be refinished?

If the finish on your piano is worn, scratched, faded, or dull, it may be time for professional piano refinishing.

Over decades, sunlight, use, and aging finishes can diminish the beauty of upright and grand pianos. Refinishing restores the appearance of the piano and helps preserve a family heirloom piano for future generations.

Curious about restoring the internal components of your piano before the refinishing? Check out:

Learn About Piano Restoration

Piano Customization

Should a piano be restored or refinished first?

In many cases, it is best to restore the internal components of a piano before refinishing the exterior.

If a piano’s action, hammers, strings, or other internal parts need restoration, that work is typically completed first while the instrument is in the shop.

Once the piano is mechanically restored and functioning properly, refinishing the exterior can be done to restore the instrument’s beauty.

For many heirloom pianos, families choose to complete both restoration and refinishing together, renewing the piano’s performance and appearance for another generation of music.

View Completed Family Heirloom Piano Restorations

How long does piano refinishing take?

The timeline for piano refinishing depends on the size and condition of the piano. Each refinishing project is specific to the piano. Upright and grand pianos require careful preparation, surface repair, and multiple stages of finishing to achieve a beautiful and durable result.

The timeline can also vary depending on custom options, such as selecting a new color or sheen (yes we can transform the finish of your piano to match your wildest dreams or home interior), converting to a high-gloss finish, replating hardware, installing new keytops, or making other cosmetic improvements to enhance the overall look of the piano.

Many families also choose to have the piano bench refinished to match the piano, creating a complete and beautifully coordinated result.

Because every piano and restoration plan is unique, the best way to determine the refinishing timeline is to send us a photo of your piano so we can evaluate its condition and discuss the refinishing options with you.

YouTube Playlist: Satinized Pianos

Custom Blue Yamaha C7

Custom Tinted Lacquer

Custom Pianos Playlist — Colors & Special Requests

In the Refinishing Shop: Laser Technology

Custom Refinishing Options

Brigham Larson and son Ben Larson holding a wooden piano music desk structure in an indoor setting with CNC machine.

CNC & 3D Printing Technology

Missing Cosmetic Piano Piece? No Problem!

Missing or damaged decorative pieces on a piano—such as trim, moldings, or small wood details—are usually cosmetic issues and can often be recreated or restored. In our restoration shop, we reproduce missing parts using traditional craftsmanship along with modern CNC machining and 3D printing technology, allowing us to accurately recreate original shapes and details. Even when a piece has been missing for decades, it is often possible to rebuild and refinish it so the piano once again looks complete and beautiful.

VIDEO: 3D Printing Missing Wood Trim for a 100-Year-Old Erard Grand Piano From Paris!

VIDEO: Custom Music Desk Designed with the CNC Machine!

VIDEO: 3D Printing Missing 19th Century Grand Piano Lid Part—in 5 min!

Custom Pianos — Colors & Special Requests

Custom Color

Transform your piano with a finish that perfectly matches your style. Our expert team offers custom color refinishing, from classic wood tones to bold modern shades.

Whether you want to match existing decor or create a statement piece, we carefully strip, prepare, and refinish your piano with durable, high-quality materials. Each finish is applied with precision, ensuring a flawless look that complements both the instrument’s craftsmanship and your home.

Get ideas! Explore the Custom Color Piano Refinishing & Special Requests video playlist below.

Video Playlist
Image 28 of Steinway Upright

Custom Sheen—Satin

Give your piano a timeless, elegant look with our satin refinishing service. A satin finish softens the shine while highlighting the natural beauty of the wood grain.

Satin refinishing reduces glare and creates a smooth, warm finish that complements any room. Our team carefully prepares, refinishes, and seals the surface to ensure lasting durability and beauty.

Watch Playlist

Custom Sheen—High Gloss

A high-gloss piano finish creates the classic mirror-like appearance. High-gloss refinishing can dramatically transform the appearance of an upright or grand piano, restoring a rich, refined look.

FREE Refinishing Quote
After pedal restoration and metal hardware replating piano hammers, piano action, piano plate, piano strings, piano tuning pins, photo of after the Schubert upright heirloom piano is restored and rebuilt and refinished to like new condition.

From Rust to Radiance

Replating Piano Hardware

Over time, the metal hardware on a piano—such as pedals, hinges, locks, casters, and decorative accents—can become worn, tarnished, or discolored.

As part of the refinishing process, these components can often be professionally replated to restore their original brilliance.

Learn About Electroplating

Transform the Look of Your Piano

Give your piano new life with expert refinishing. Whether your instrument has scratches, fading, or years of wear, our team carefully restores the beauty of your piano’s cabinetry with professional techniques and finishes.

From gentle touch-ups to full refinishing, we offer options ranging from stain and lacquer updates to complete bare-wood sanding, color changes, and open-pore or high-gloss finishes.

We also replate or buff hardware, replace knobs and bumpers, and ensure every detail matches the quality of the instrument inside. With refinishing, your piano can look factory-new again!

Precision Laser Technology for Piano Restoration

In our heirloom piano refinishing shop, we use precision laser technology to help restore the beauty of upright and grand pianos. Laser cleaning allows us to carefully remove worn finishes, markings, and old lettering without damaging delicate wood or veneer. Combined with traditional craftsmanship, this technology helps preserve the integrity of family heirloom pianos while preparing them for careful refinishing.

The Right Time to Refinish Your Piano

Interested in refinishing your piano? A freshly refinished piano not only looks stunning in your home, it also protects the wood for decades to come. Families often choose refinishing before passing an heirloom down to the next generation, preparing for a wedding or special event, or updating cabinetry to match modern décor. It’s a practical way to preserve history while enjoying a piano that looks brand new.


When a piano needs refinishing on the outside, it is often a sign that the inside of the instrument has also experienced decades of wear. Just as the finish can become worn or faded, the internal components—such as the action, hammers, and strings—may also need restoration to bring the piano back to its full musical potential. In many heirloom pianos, refinishing the exterior becomes part of a larger restoration process that renews both the appearance and performance of the instrument for another generation of music.

FREE Refinishing Quote—Show us your piano!

For a FREE piano refinishing estimate, please send a photo of your piano to info@BrighamLarsonPianos.com.

Show Your Piano

Ask Brigham a piano refinishing question...

  • Brigham Larson sits next to a black upright Hailun piano. Title reads "Satin Refinishing"

    The Beauty of Satin Refinishing: Results on a n...

    Brigham Larson Pianos

    Today, I’m excited to share a video showcasing one of our recent projects involving Hailun’s top-of-the-line upright piano, the V133. In the video, I go over my experience with Hailun pianos and highlight...

    The Beauty of Satin Refinishing: Results on a n...

    Brigham Larson Pianos

    Today, I’m excited to share a video showcasing one of our recent projects involving Hailun’s top-of-the-line upright piano, the V133. In the video, I go over my experience with Hailun pianos and highlight...

  • Brigham Larson stands next to one of his technicians for a youtube thumbnail photo titled "Refinishing & Polishing!"

    The Piano Refinishing and Polishing Process

    Brigham Larson Pianos

    In this recent video we got the opportunity to peek into the shop and highlight the refinishing and polishing process on a Yamaha G1. Refinishing and Polishing is an intricate process, so...

    The Piano Refinishing and Polishing Process

    Brigham Larson Pianos

    In this recent video we got the opportunity to peek into the shop and highlight the refinishing and polishing process on a Yamaha G1. Refinishing and Polishing is an intricate process, so...

  • Piano Refinishing Blog - How much does it cost to refinish a piano?

    How much does it cost to refinish a piano?

    Karmel Larson

    Explore the key points of 'How much does it cost to refinish a piano?' where we delve into various aspects of pianos and music. Read on for more insights.

    1 comment

    How much does it cost to refinish a piano?

    Karmel Larson

    Explore the key points of 'How much does it cost to refinish a piano?' where we delve into various aspects of pianos and music. Read on for more insights.

    1 comment
  • Piano Refinishing Blog - We Refinish Pianos!

    We Refinish Pianos!

    Karmel Larson

    Explore the key points of 'We Refinish Pianos!' where we delve into various aspects of pianos and music. Read on for more insights.

    We Refinish Pianos!

    Karmel Larson

    Explore the key points of 'We Refinish Pianos!' where we delve into various aspects of pianos and music. Read on for more insights.

1 of 4

Drone Tour - 23,500 SF Store & Shop

Refinished Pianos For Sale

1 of 10

Shop Brigham's Pianos For Sale

1 of 8

FREE Piano Refinishing Quote

Ready to refinish your piano? From worn and faded to beautiful again—piano refinishing can bring new life to a piano your family already loves.

For a FREE piano refinishing estimate, please contact us, or send a photo of your piano to info@BrighamLarsonPianos.com.

Custom Refinishing & Copper Trim!