Polishing an old trombone
JesusisGod
got my money's worth. But it is very tarnished, of course. I believe
that the bulk of it is solid brass...however, the inner slide is
silvertone. Any advice on how to get this polished and shiny again,
would be greatly appreciated. I also think that this instrument is
quite solid...definitely not fragile.
Any special cleaning instructions would also be greatly appreciated.
I look forward toward any of your tips that you could give me.
Thank you kindly in advance.
God bless you in Jesus' Name.
* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
Donald C. Patterson
JesusisGod wrote:
> I just got my $61.00 Besson Stratford Trombone! I definitely think I
> got my money's worth. But it is very tarnished, of course. I believe
> that the bulk of it is solid brass...however, the inner slide is
> silvertone. Any advice on how to get this polished and shiny again,
> would be greatly appreciated. I also think that this instrument is
> quite solid...definitely not fragile.
> Any special cleaning instructions would also be greatly appreciated.
> I look forward toward any of your tips that you could give me.
The most you should need to do with the inner slide is simply clean
it well with a rag and alcohol (if needed). If there are lots of brown
spots on the inner slide, then you have some worn plating. This is
a problem as with the nickel/silver plating worn away, you have
brass rubbing on brass (inner slide to outer slide). Like metals tend
to want to cling molecularly, resulting in more friction and less ease
of movement. That is why the inner slide is plated with nickel/silver.
so that you have two different metals working together. With proper
lubrication, it moves withour any effort at all. When the plating
is worn away in spots, even the best lubrication can't rectify the
problem. If the plating is not worn away...well.....never mind.
--
Don Patterson
* DCP Music Printing
* Professional Computer Music Typeset
* Music Arrangements
* don...@dclink.com
* Trombonist
* "The President's Own"
* United States Marine Band
-----------== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News ==----------
http://www.newsfeeds.com The Largest Usenet Servers in the World!
------== Over 73,000 Newsgroups - Including Dedicated Binaries Servers ==-----
act...@my-deja.com
> I believe
> that the bulk of it is solid brass...
One word: Brasso
But please make sure that this is unlacquered brass before you go
attacking it with Brasso. With a can of Brasso and about an hour's
work, you can make a raw brass horn shine as if it were a lacquered one.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Jim Buchholz
bring an old trombone back to life.
1. Pour cheap brass cleaner down the outer slide, use cloth and a cleaning rod
and keep at it til the cloth strips come out as clean as it can. (this step took
my 2 hours)
2. Clean the brass cleaner out of the outer slide with clean strips of cloth.
3. Pour vinegar into the outer slide and let hang 2 hours (cheap acid bath),
4. Clean the inner slide as good as you can--don't bend it or scratch it.
5. Assemble and put on coldcream. Play and work the slide
You will have crud working itself off the slides for about 1 or 2 weeks little
by little.
After as much crud works itself off, put in coldcream or whatever you use and
clean it off weekly until it works itself clean.
My 1931 Conn model 4H took about a month before the slide got really slick with
coldcream. I found out that SOM works best on horns with tight tolerances, my
4H is not one of them.
If the inner/outer sides are damaged, the above will not of course bring it
around.
jim buchholz
JesusisGod wrote:
> I just got my $61.00 Besson Stratford Trombone! I definitely think I
> got my money's worth. But it is very tarnished, of course. I believe
> that the bulk of it is solid brass...however, the inner slide is
> silvertone. Any advice on how to get this polished and shiny again,
> would be greatly appreciated. I also think that this instrument is
> quite solid...definitely not fragile.
> Any special cleaning instructions would also be greatly appreciated.
> I look forward toward any of your tips that you could give me.
JesusisGod
appreciate it. So far I soaked the instrument in separate pieces in a
soapy bathtub. I don't like the corrosion that occurred on two of the
soldered areas. Whoops. The inner silvertone slide is, I believe, in
great shape, only a few minor rust spots past the rim toward the ends
of the slides.
I started working with Brasso, but I discovered that it was lacquered,
but definitely not worth salvaging...what is left has to go.
I believe we will try using carefully some stripping chemicals on the
body part that has the bell, then, back to the Brasso to avoid
excessive scrubbing. Definitely can see that Brasso works! Just need
to get those patches of other stuff off first.
I detect that this instrument had some color, like gold painted on
either mixed in the lacquer or below it.
Does anyone know of any gold (rose gold would be nice) that I could put
on this brass prior to the lacquering?
By the way, I do have some experience in painting...just not metals.
A decorating store recommended a gold oil-based enamel (a small
bottle--this is not the stuff for painting plastic models)...what do
you all think about that? If it is a good idea, what kind of paint
could be added to the gold to give it a slight pink hue? Then apply an
oil-based lacquer?
Thanks so much.
act...@my-deja.com
JesusisGod <ecoatsN...@netdoor.com.invalid> wrote:
> The inner silvertone slide is, I believe, in
> great shape, only a few minor rust spots past the rim toward the ends
> of the slides.
Then it is NOT in good shape. The plating has failed at the
stockongs. This is the part of the slide that takes the most wear.
Carefully try to smooth out the oxidation. Try scratching it off with
your fingernail. Try using some 600 grit emery cloth, but be very
careful not to scratch any of the plating that is still intact. You
need these stockings to feel smooth to the touch.
> Does anyone know of any gold (rose gold would be nice) that I could
put
> on this brass prior to the lacquering?
> By the way, I do have some experience in painting...just not metals.
> A decorating store recommended a gold oil-based enamel (a small
> bottle--this is not the stuff for painting plastic models)...what do
> you all think about that?
It is great to take pride in an instrument. Just understand that you
are planning to spend more money on this instrument than its likely
increase in value.
If you were my student, I'd advise you to spend the minimum amount of
money to clean this horn up and get the slide working acceptably. Then
put your attention on learning to play it. If you still enjoy it 6
months from now, take the money you didn't spend on relacquering and
use that as a down payment for an instrument that is already in better
shape.
For $250 you can get a very good used horn that won't require any
remedial work.
David Howells
Don't put brasso on a horn.
I murdered my 1939 King 2B that way.
Take it to an experienced repairman for anuthing other than a good cleaning!
JesusisGod wrote:
> Update: Thanks so much you all for the information! Wow! I really
> appreciate it. So far I soaked the instrument in separate pieces in a
> soapy bathtub. I don't like the corrosion that occurred on two of the
> soldered areas. Whoops. The inner silvertone slide is, I believe, in
> great shape, only a few minor rust spots past the rim toward the ends
> of the slides.
> I started working with Brasso, but I discovered that it was lacquered,
> but definitely not worth salvaging...what is left has to go.
> I believe we will try using carefully some stripping chemicals on the
> body part that has the bell, then, back to the Brasso to avoid
> excessive scrubbing. Definitely can see that Brasso works! Just need
> to get those patches of other stuff off first.
> I detect that this instrument had some color, like gold painted on
> either mixed in the lacquer or below it.
> Does anyone know of any gold (rose gold would be nice) that I could put
> on this brass prior to the lacquering?
> By the way, I do have some experience in painting...just not metals.
> A decorating store recommended a gold oil-based enamel (a small
> bottle--this is not the stuff for painting plastic models)...what do
Neil Lawton
that is put on horns is a special lacquer. If you put just any stuff on
there you can seriously mess up the sound of the horn. Knew a trumpet
player who did this and the horn ended up being a great lamp(after a few
adjustments)
act...@my-deja.com
how...@idt.net wrote:
> STOP!!!
> Don't put brasso on a horn.
> I murdered my 1939 King 2B that way.
> Take it to an experienced repairman for anuthing other than a good
cleaning!
>
The instrument in question a used student horn that is mainly raw brass
with lots of tarnish. Unless you want to pay $250 to have it
relacquered, you have to polish it. Brasso is fine for raw brass --
that's what it is made for. Was your 2B unlacquered brass? If so how
did you ruin it with Brasso?
Jim Buchholz
cleaned up the slides....maybe put extra $10 into it. Now I have a shiney
1931 trombone who's slide is very liveable. Keep in mind a $250 payment on
a trombone may not give you a 1931 Conn 4H,--- you have to find the horns
where you can in whatever condition you can.
While I would never paint a Silverplated Conn 4H, I did once paint a
throw-away cornet once. I used spray black car lacquer and it came out
acceptable. The tone really was not that changed. I did grow tired of the
black horn and stripped the horn back down to the original finish as bad as
it was. Recently I got a cheap Olds Single F french horn with not much
finish (but no dents) and stripped off the old lacquer. I am leaving the
bell a shiney pure brass (put car wax on it to seal the pores). Excellent
sounding horn in pure brass bell.
While I do put in the minimum amount of money on the horn, getting a horn
is shape is mostly my time. Really the sound is what counts, but a good
playing (and looking) horn does not hurt.
jim buchholz
act...@my-deja.com wrote:
> In article <00091c0e...@usw-ex0107-050.remarq.com>,
> JesusisGod <ecoatsN...@netdoor.com.invalid> wrote:
>
> > The inner silvertone slide is, I believe, in
> > great shape, only a few minor rust spots past the rim toward the ends
> > of the slides.
>
> Then it is NOT in good shape. The plating has failed at the
> stockongs. This is the part of the slide that takes the most wear.
> Carefully try to smooth out the oxidation. Try scratching it off with
> your fingernail. Try using some 600 grit emery cloth, but be very
> careful not to scratch any of the plating that is still intact. You
> need these stockings to feel smooth to the touch.
>
> > Does anyone know of any gold (rose gold would be nice) that I could
> put
> > on this brass prior to the lacquering?
> > By the way, I do have some experience in painting...just not metals.
> > A decorating store recommended a gold oil-based enamel (a small
> > bottle--this is not the stuff for painting plastic models)...what do
> > you all think about that?
>
> It is great to take pride in an instrument. Just understand that you
> are planning to spend more money on this instrument than its likely
> increase in value.
>
> If you were my student, I'd advise you to spend the minimum amount of
> money to clean this horn up and get the slide working acceptably. Then
> put your attention on learning to play it. If you still enjoy it 6
> months from now, take the money you didn't spend on relacquering and
> use that as a down payment for an instrument that is already in better
> shape.
>
> For $250 you can get a very good used horn that won't require any
> remedial work.
>
David Howells
It had a great slide and a great sound.
Three months later, I used brasso on it.
It looked great, but the sound changed.
act...@my-deja.com wrote:
James Buchholz
offered in unlacquered brass bells.. I'm talking what are called "triple
horns" which really cost bucks. (Double horns have two sets of separate
plumbing-triple has three Bb,F and Bb octave higher)
Also some saxs are offered in raw brass, some professional players--you
name the instrument, have hardly any lacquer left.I don't think brasso
changed the sound that much, or else professionals would throw their good
playing instruments away
jim buchholz
act...@my-deja.com
James Buchholz <buchho...@netscape.net> wrote:
> I noticed looking through some catalogues that some french horns are
> offered in unlacquered brass bells.. I'm talking what are
called "triple
> horns" which really cost bucks.
A lot of folks play with unlacquered horns. I'm talking about horns
that have never had any lacquer. It seems they are happy to let the
finish go dull. I've never noticed green tarnish on these horns, but
they tend to be a dull, yellowish brown.
To me, this falls in the same category as cryogenics. There may be a
meaningful difference (in going unlacquered or in using cryogenic
treatment), or it may be wishful thinking. I guess a spectral analysis
should reveal the truth. Bottom line is that if it feels better to
you, then it is better.
JesusisGod
misunderstanding of why I haven't mentioned how it plays...I just got
the mouthpiece that was suppose to come with the instrument; I suspect
it was an oversite (when they shipped the instrument) because they
sterilize the mouthpieces and it was probably separated from the case
and instrument. They sent me a Vincent Bach 7, which is in really
great shape. Why it is one of the biggest mouthpieces that I have ever
seen! Well, I haven't seen a lot.
Also, things have been a little of a stand still...have the dreaded
cold that is going around.
I thank you kindly for all your advice...I do think that painting and
lacuering it can wait until I have a really good idea what that is all
about. I also think at this time I will refrain from using Brasso
everywhere, mainly just on the piece that has the bell and the thick
brass areas.
After it is shiny (that may take awhile) do you all think that applying
a little wax would help to protect the shine?
Also, I did not notice it for some reason...I guess it takes a while to
see it all, but it does also have a small dent on the inner slide about
half way down. Is that something I have to get fixed, or will it be
livable? I suspect it was playable with it.
Thanks again kindly for all your help.
God bless you all in Jesus' Name.
David Howells
Don;t use Brasso at all.
A Bach 7 is a good mouthpiece, provided the shank fits into the horn.
Good luck.
Shawn Insall
years and it's not changed the sound.. it removes the tarnish nicely, but
will not remove untarnished metal.
James Buchholz <buchho...@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:6oli4.107$Ho3....@news7.onvoy.net...
> I noticed looking through some catalogues that some french horns are
> offered in unlacquered brass bells.. I'm talking what are called "triple