What Is Involved in a Full Piano Restoration?

What Is Piano Restoration?

Piano restoration is the process of bringing an ageing or damaged piano back to optimal playing condition—structurally, mechanically, and visually. It’s more than a tune-up or minor repair. A full piano restoration is often reserved for quality instruments that are worn down but have great potential, whether sentimental, musical, or historical.

This process can turn a piano that’s barely playable into one that sounds and feels like new—or even better.

What’s Included in a Full Piano Restoration?

No two restorations are exactly alike, but generally speaking this is a step-by-step breakdown of what a comprehensive restoration typically includes:

1. Initial Assessment and Planning

Before anything begins, we inspect your piano to assess its current condition and determine what’s needed. This includes:

• Checking structural integrity (frame, soundboard, bridges)

• Inspecting the action, hammers, dampers, and pedals

• Testing tuning pin stability and string condition

• Evaluating the cabinet finish and hardware
  

At this stage, we’ll create a detailed restoration plan and provide an estimate.

2. Disassembly

We carefully disassemble the piano to gain access to every component:

• The action (hammers, shanks, levers)

• Strings and tuning pins

• Keyboard and keybed

• Pedal system

• Cabinet and lid

In a comprehensive restoration, every component has to be examined and cleaned before reassembly, down to every screw!

3. Structural Repairs

Many older pianos have wear in key areas that affect tone and tuning. Common structural repairs include:

• Soundboard repair, shimming, and refinishing (or replacement if necessary)

• Bridge repair to fix splits, cracks, or worn bearing surfaces

• Pinblock (Wrestplank) replacement if tuning pins no longer hold properly

• Frame cleaning and repainting (iron frame)

These foundational repairs are critical to restoring tuning stability and resonance.

4. Action Rebuilding

The action is the heart of the piano’s responsiveness. Restoration may include:

• Replacing hammers, shanks, and levers

• Replacing or reconditioning dampers

• Replacing worn bushings, felts, and leather

• Levelling the keys, and regulating the action for even touch and feel
  

This step is essential to restore playability and control.

5. Keyboard Restoration

Depending on the piano, we may:

• Repair existing ivory keys, or replace with new tops

• Trim any swollen key leads

• Clean and polish key tops
  

A properly restored keyboard feels smooth and responsive under the fingers.

6. Restringing

If the strings are rusty or dead-sounding, they are replaced with:

• New high-tensile steel strings (treble)

• New copper-wound, handmade bass strings

• New tuning pins to match
  

After restringing, the piano is tuned multiple times to allow the strings to stretch, and to stabilise the pitch.

7. Cabinet Refinishing (Optional but Common)

A full restoration often includes:

• Stripping the old finish

• Repairing veneer or dents

• Reapplying a traditional lacquer or French polish finish

• Polishing or replacing brass hardware and pedals
  

This stage restores the piano’s visual beauty and can dramatically improve its presence in a room.

8. Regulation, Voicing, and Final Tuning

Once the piano is fully reassembled:

• Regulation ensures that the action responds evenly
  

• Voicing adjusts the tone quality by reshaping or needling hammers
  

• Tuning is performed multiple times as the new strings stretch and settle

The Result: A Piano Reborn

When done properly, full piano restoration gives your instrument:

• New life, playability, and tone

• Renewed tuning stability

• Beautiful, restored cabinet appearance

• Increased value and longevity

Many high-quality pianos can last another 50–100 years with proper care after restoration.

Is Full Piano Restoration Right for You?

Restoration is most worthwhile if:

• The piano has sentimental or family value

• It was built by a respected maker (Steinway, Bechstein, Broadwood, etc.)

• You want a high-quality instrument for less than the cost of a new one

Considering Restoration? Let’s Talk.

If you're wondering whether your piano is a good candidate for full restoration, we’d be happy to assess it.

Book a professional inspection or contact us today to learn more about what your piano needs—and how we can bring it back to life.