About 50 years ago, piano manufactures were using a very primitive grade of laquer to finish their instruments. Over the years, this old style of laquer breaks down, and depending on what the finish is exposed too and what it is maintained with, it will either turn into a bunch of little cracks, or a gooey sludge that is sticky to the touch and attracts lots of dirt. The finish on this piano was shot, so I decided to do a "scruff off" finish. This is a fast a cheap way to restore the existing finish; obviously it does not look as as good a full out refinishing job, but it's certainly cheaper. Here is a look at the top of the lid, after it had it's finish re-worked.