Collection: Ivory and Keyboard Restoration

Ivory Piano Key Restoration & Full Keyboard Refinishing by Shackleford Pianos

At Shackleford Pianos, we specialise in ivory piano key restoration and full keyboard refurbishments, restoring your instrument’s appearance to match its exceptional sound.

We work with both ivory and synthetic (manmade) keytop materials on a daily basis, expertly bringing back the pristine colour and smooth feel expected from a high-quality piano. Whether your keys are yellowed, chipped, or missing altogether, we have the expertise to restore or replace them.

For full replacements, we offer precision-crafted synthetic keytops, carefully fitted to maintain the look and feel of traditional pianos.

For pianos with original ivory keys, we follow strict CITES guidelines, preserving as much of the original material as possible. Where necessary, we replace damaged or missing ivory keytops using recycled ivory or legally sourced mammoth ivory, ensuring your piano retains its historic charm while staying compliant with conservation regulations.

If your piano has chipped, discoloured, or missing ivory keytops, let Shackleford Pianos restore them to their former glory with care, precision, and craftsmanship.

Ivory Piano Keys – A Classic Material with Timeless Appeal

Ivory has long been prized for its beauty, texture, and durability. It’s smooth to the touch, naturally elegant, and incredibly hard-wearing — qualities that made it the material of choice for prestigious piano makers over the last 200 years.

Used since prehistoric times, ivory has always held deep cultural and artistic value. Civilisations across history crafted ivory artefacts as symbols of status and refinement. Likewise, piano makers embraced ivory for its tactile qualities and visual warmth, making it a defining feature of many fine antique instruments.

At Shackleford Pianos, we understand the historical and aesthetic significance of ivory piano keys and offer specialist ivory key restoration and CITES-compliant keytop replacement using recycled or mammoth ivory.

That said, many modern pianists prefer synthetic keytops for their consistency and easy maintenance. We offer full synthetic keytop replacements on any piano, using precision-crafted materials that closely replicate the traditional ivory feel — or improve on it.

Whether you wish to restore your antique ivory keys or upgrade to modern synthetic piano keytops, Shackleford Pianos has the expertise to deliver results that look and feel exceptional.

Synthetic Keytop Replacement Options at Shackleford Pianos

If your piano’s keys are completely missing, heavily damaged, or beyond restoration, Shackleford Pianos offers a range of high-quality synthetic keytops to restore both the look and touch of your instrument.

Whether you're restoring an antique or modernising a tired keyboard, these synthetic materials provide excellent durability, comfort, and appearance — and can even be tailored to match the character of your piano.

We install the following types of synthetic keytops upon request:

Plastic Keytops

• Finish: Glossy, smooth, clean

• Features: Durable, hard-wearing, widely used

• Best for: Most modern pianos — including popular brands like Yamaha, Kawai, and Steinway

• Summary: The most common keytop surface found on pianos today. Plastic offers a sleek, highly polished appearance and is easy to clean and maintain.

Resin Keytops

• Finish: Glossy with subtle tonal variation

• Features: Durable with a more refined and artistic aesthetic

• Best for: Players looking for a stylish alternative to plain white plastic

• Summary: Resin keytops mimic the natural grain structure of ivory, with layered whites and subtle tones. Their appearance offers a more organic and luxurious finish than standard plastic, while remaining robust.

Ivorite Keytops

• Finish: Slight texture, subdued ivory-like grain

• Features: Exceptional feel, very close to real ivory

• Best for: Pianists seeking the authentic ivory playing experience

• Summary: Originally developed by Yamaha, Ivorite provides a playing surface that closely resembles ivory in texture and appearance. It is especially popular among classical and professional pianists.

Mineral Keytops

• Finish: Matte or semi-gloss, light texture

• Features: Durable, naturally grippy, temperature-resistant

• Best for: Players in varied climates or extended play

• Summary: Made from finely ground natural minerals, these keytops offer an earthy aesthetic with excellent resistance to wear and temperature changes.

Elforyn Keytops

• Finish: Natural ivory mimic, lightly textured

• Features: Premium synthetic substitute for ivory

• Best for: High-end restorations, showpiece pianos

• Summary: Elforyn is a high-quality, ivory substitute made from mineral and synthetic composites. It mimics ivory's grain and density while being fully compliant with modern conservation laws. It is often used in luxury piano restoration.

Acrylic (Acryl) Keytops

• Finish: High-gloss or satin, smooth

• Features: Lightweight, UV resistant, colour-stable

• Best for: Modern design pianos or artistic applications

• Summary: Acrylic keytops are used in more creative or customised piano builds. They come in a variety of finishes and colours, making them perfect for display, prop, or performance pianos where a modern aesthetic is desired.

Whether you’re restoring a treasured heirloom or simply upgrading an instrument for better playability, we can advise on and install the ideal keytop material to match your piano’s tone, appearance, and personal preferences.

Pictured: a previous plastic key top restoration, as well as re-finished black keys

At Shackleford Pianos, we don't just restore ivory and synthetic keytops — we also offer expert services for plastic key restoration and sharp key refinishing or replacement, ensuring your entire keyboard looks and feels exceptional.

Plastic & Ivory Keytop Restoration

Both ivory and plastic piano keytops can be beautifully restored. Our process involves carefully sanding back the original material by a few millimetres to remove surface damage, discolouration, or inconsistencies. Once smooth and even, the keytops are meticulously buffed and polished to return them to their original lustrous finish.

Whether your keys are yellowed, scratched, or dulled from years of use, we can bring them back to life with precision and care — all while preserving the integrity of the original material.

Sharp Key (Black Key) Restoration & Replacement

We also fully restore or replace black keys, known as sharp keys, using one of two expert methods:

• Repair & Respray:
  We fill and repair surface damage and then respray the keys to your preference — either a matte or glossy black finish, closely matching the original look.

• Replacement with Modern Materials:
  If your original ebony sharp keys are too worn, cracked, or beyond repair, we can replace them with high-quality modern plastic sharp keys. This is sometimes the only viable solution for heavily used or damaged keyboards.