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cmatice Regular Member
Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 73
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:54 pm Post subject: lacquer polishing cloth? |
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I know silver polishing clothes will eventually wear through the silver plating. Do lacquer cloths do likewise or no? |
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irith Heavyweight Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 879
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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Theoretically it shouldn't. "Lacquer polishing cloths" are generally just soft, microfiber cloths to wipe sweat, oils, etc off. _________________ Bach, Schilke, Pickett mostly |
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cmatice Regular Member
Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 73
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you for your answer. Surely the cloth has some chemicals in it, doesn't it? It smells funky Anyways, thanks again. |
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gchun Guest
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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If you buy the Selmer/Bach cloth (or something similar), there are chemicals. I suspect that the chemicals are similar to Pledge or furniture polish, as that's was recommended to polish lacquer.
Garry |
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cmatice Regular Member
Joined: 23 May 2012 Posts: 73
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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So will these chemials wear away at the lacquer? |
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VetPsychWars Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
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Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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Doubtful. It's likely silicone.
Tom _________________ 1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1 |
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Don Herman rev2 'Chicago School' Forum Moderator
Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 8951 Location: Monument, CO
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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What usually wears away the finish, silver or lacquer, are the dirt particles that get embedded in the cloth during use. I prefer plain old microfiber cloths and try to keep them clean. I don't do a great job and have the fine scratches to show for it... _________________ "After silence, that which best expresses the inexpressible, is music" - Aldous Huxley |
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royjohn Heavyweight Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 2272 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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Since polishing is actually a process of taking out big scratches and replacing them with finer scratches, it always wears away a minute amount of finish. With lacquer, it makes more sense to merely wipe off the oils and perspiration. If the finish on the lacquer actually starts to get dull, a "polish" that is actually a wax finish or similar that fills in the scratches with an oil is the thing to use. This may be what's on your purpose-made polishing cloth. It wipes off the skin oils and perspiration and coats the lacquer surface, filling in any minute scratches.
If you're getting the idea that the less you do to the lacquer finish, the better, you have it about right. Present day lacquers are pretty durable and when the day comes to redo your horn, it probably won't cost over $200. Just exercise reasonable care and spend your mental energy elsewhere, on playing and learning . . . for a young guy, you sure worry a lot . . . leave that to us old guys, who have something important to worry about, like "will I wake up tomorrow?" and, "if I wake up, will I be able to get up and will I be able to hold up my trumpet?"
"Will I be able to remember which end to blow into?" Etc. You get the idea. Wish I was back in the day when I had to remember to be sure to keep the safety on . . . but I digress . . . at least I think so . . . LOL . . . _________________ royjohn
Trumpets: 1928 Holton Llewellyn Model, 1957 Holton 51LB, 2010 Custom C by Bill Jones, 2011 Custom D/Eb by Bill Jones
Flugels: 1975 Olds Superstar, 1970's Elkhardt, 1970's Getzen 4 valve
Cornet: 1970's Yamaha YCR-233S . . . and others . . . |
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Capt.Kirk Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Feb 2009 Posts: 5792
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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If you rub anything that is micro-thin it is going to wear it away. There is not any way at all to polish anything with out some form of wear be it chemical, oxidation or friction you will lose the finish sooner or latter.
First why would you ever polish an epoxy coating on a brass horn? Wash the horn dry it off and go find something else to be OCD about. Lacquer is not a live coating nothing you put on it will extend it's life. Keeping it clean and not rubbing it more then you have too is about the best you hope for. It goes with out saying that chips and scratch's through the finish will speed up how quickly it comes off if it is going too. Moisture can get in under it and lift it off the surface.
Prior to the industrial revolution their was not enough sulfur in the air to make silver tarnish. The ancient Egyptians named it white gold because it stayed shiny and did not tarnish with age just like gold does not tarnish. To give you an idea how thin the silver on a horn is. Charles at Kanstul said they put their silver on heavier then most companies and they use 1 once of silver to plate an entire horn's surface. Spread that one once out over that much surface area and you are up against impossible odd's if you actually intend to play the horn regularly the finish will wear! _________________ The only easy day was yesterday! |
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