Question about cleaning exterior of old Steinway

[dulcimerdawg]

I will soon own a 1940 Steinway Upright that has basically been sitting unplayed for 30 years. The case is mahagony and has darkened quite a bit. What is the best and safest way to clean and brighten the exterior of the piano without having it refinished? You can see the wood grain a little, but not much. There are also places where I would describe as looking "filmy" where parts of the wood shine and parts look dull. Thanks for your help.

[pianistimo]

i found www.alwaysbrilliant.com  as a site for cleaning antique wood.  imagine the piano tech's here know if it would work.  click on 'clean' and then 'woodwork.'

[tosca1]

A piano restorer whom I used to know said that car polish, the paste type, was the best product to restore old, dulled finishes on pianos. It seems a radical way, but it works. However, try a small area first to test and work carefully as the wood veneer is very fragile and can easily be snagged and broken.
Regards,
Robert.

[pianopitchman]

I think your best bet would be to call a local piano rebuilder or even furniture refinisher.  My two cents would be to use a product like Yamaha (yes they make everything) furniture cream.  I have had good results with it in the past.

[pianalex]

why not just enjoy the 60 years worth of patina as it is?  A little gentle cleaner, some beeswax polish and leave it at that.  Trying to make something old look like it was made yesterday often makes it look worse.  if the keys are less than white for example they will show up more than if the case work was left.  better use the cash for some extra tuning or regulating session..just athought