One of the most demanding and challenging furniture pieces to move is definitely the piano. They are oddly shaped, valuable, and quite heavy, which makes for a deadly combination if you are an amateur or someone who’s just decided to move their piano on their own. Hiring piano movers can often be the only option since it takes more than just brute strength to move a piano safely.

Whether you need to move it across states or just the room, you will need expertise, skill, and the right equipment to ensure that you don’t damage the beautiful instrument. If you try to move the piano without proper skills, it can damage the piano or even cause personal injuries.

Gilbert Piano Movers have all the necessary equipment in their wheelhouse to handle any size or type of piano you may have. Their teams are trained properly, so they can ensure that the piano is protected as well as your home. Here are some reasons why hiring piano movers is a good idea.

Awkward and Heavy: That’s Just How Pianos Are

Pianos can weigh anything from 400lbs to 1,300lbs since their internal components are often made with cast iron. It can often be the heaviest thing in any house, especially you have an antique piece. They can also be quite awkward in their weight distribution. For example, grand and baby grand pianos distribute all of the weight between three legs, while upright pianos can be top-heavy. This uneven distribution and quite extreme weight can make any untrained mover falter, increasing the risk of damage.

Pianos Are Valuable and Expensive

Pianos are elegant instruments that can value upwards of thousands of dollars. Piano owners also know the sentimental value they can have too. Considering the emotional and monetary value they have, you really should be hiring piano movers who know what they are doing. Don’t risk losing your instrument by skimping on moving costs because damaging it can be quite an incomparable cost.

A Piano Can Damage You and Itself

Pianos are delicate and complex instruments that makes them more than just heavy furniture. They have thousands of different moving parts internally that are prone to damage. The exterior beauty of a piano is definitely something to behold as well.

However, if the handler makes one wrong move, it can cause irreparable damage. Professionals can ensure no damage comes to the piano or the moving team because they will consider safety as their first priority.

​Regular items can be moved by regular movers, but a piano is no regular furniture. You will need professional and expert help with moving your beloved piano. Gilbert Piano Movers can help you in this endeavor.
 

Does your piano need a little extra love and care? Has it been showing signs of wear and tear? Don’t worry; that does not mean that you need to replace it and buy a brand-new piano. A DIY piano makeover can help save lots of money while making your piano look as good as new.

Preparing Your Piano

Even though giving your piano a makeover is excited; you cannot start sanding or painting it without cleaning it properly before. If you want to restore your piano, the first step is to prepare it. This way, you can ensure that you will be happy with the end product. All you need to do is to take out a little bit of time to prepare, brainstorm, and execute.

1.   Disassemble the Piano

First, you need to carefully get rid of the panels of the piano with a screwdriver or power drill. In most pianos, you will have to begin with the top panel.

While working on disassembling the piano, make sure to keep the screws, hinges, latches, and resulting hardware in a safe place- you will need it later. You can also get zip lock bags with clear labels to keep track of which screw fits where.

2.   Clean the Piano

Remember how we said cleaning the piano before you do anything else is a must? Even if you have been regular with its cleanliness, we would advise you to use some soapy water and a gentle sponge to clean it again. Don’t let any dirt remain, and don’t forget to wipe the panels!

3.   Cover the Keys


Before you start changing up your piano, it is essential that the piano’s keys and soundboard are covered before you renovate it. You can use masking tape, drop cloth, or even sturdy paper to cover up the keys and soundboard.

4.   Sand/ Strip the Surfaces

Do you want to strain the piano? If yes, you will want to sand the surfaces as well as possible. This will help get rid of the existing finish, giving you a clear, blank slate to start over with.

Depending on the type of piano you have, you will need to utilize stripper on ornate or places that are tough to get a hold of. Even though you might not be able to be thorough, make sure that you use sandpaper on your piano if you want to paint it a fresh color.

5.   Add Paint

After you have prepared the piano and chosen a finish, it is time to paint! The simplest way to update your old, chipped piano is to paint it. Even if your piano is not outdated, but you need a drastic change, a fresh coat of paint is the way to go.

You can paint your piano any color your heart desires- from plain white or gray to bold red or striking yellow- the sky is the limit.

6.   Black Lacquer

Are you a fan of the classy, polished look of a black piano? Not only does it look rich, but it also makes your piano look ultra-glossy, almost like out of a movie!

The conventional way to refinish your piano is to spray or hand-rub the lacquer. However, you can also use a brush to paint it. Whichever way you choose to slap on the black lacquer, remember to start from a thin layer to thick.

 
Looking for more ways to care for your piano? Click here!