Jim wrote:

his wife wants it to be black to match the piano. Now I'm not NEARLY
good enough to produce a finish to match a baby grand, and I'm thinking
that any shiny black surface would look awful on ANY minor surface

You're missing the point to all of this. Take some 0000 steel wool and
scuff up that thar pie-anner to match the finish on your desk. Problem
solved.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/