There is an important reason why a high-end concert grand piano looks SO much cooler than a black gloss microwave oven at Target. So why is this? A furniture maker’s secret? Here’s the answer: There are a bunch of ways to achieve black gloss. The absolute top method is with a Polyester (PE) finish, multiple coats, hand-sprayed, hand-sanded, hand-buffed with powered buffing wheels. This kind of black gloss lacquer finish is what you’ll find on pianos, as well as Boston’s VS Series and Reflection Series speakers. Not only does PE give a deep, deep, deep mirror-like finish, but it is extraordinarily durable. The next-best option is Polyurethane (PU) which is also impressive – it is sprayed and fast-cured with UV light, and we use it on our great-looking Duo-i plus iPhone-docking radios. Yet another method to get gloss is by applying a gloss black vinyl laminate to wooden panels. And then the most mainstream glossy black finish is simple plastic, injection molded in what is called a “mirror finished tool” – nice, but no grand piano!
- Stephen Shenefield
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