Stripping lacquer from a flugelhorn

fraserhutch

Hi all.

I would love to strip the lacquer from my flugelhorn. What is the safest and cleanest way to do this?

I have no experience stripping or replating.

I would keep the horn as raw brass.
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Schilke B1
Callet Jazz
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Roger Ingram 1600is
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GR and Curry Mouthpieces

JoeLoeffler · Veteran Member Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 243

Aircraft strip/aircraft remover.

Down here in the US, we can buy it from the paint prep section of an auto parts store.

Paint the stuff on with a cheap (not plastic) paintbrush. One of those “chip brush“ types with the wooden handle and a puny bunch of natural bristles works great. Wear some chemical-resistant gloves and paint the stuff on according to the directions. Wait 15-20 minutes (do not let the stuff dry) and rinse the horn off well with water to neutralize the chemicals. You can use an old piece of T-shirt to rub off the remnants of the stripping goo. The directions say to use an abrasive (Scotch-Brite) pad. This will give your horn lots of scratches that you may or may not want. If you use a sturdy cloth (t-shirt) to rub the stuff off, it will not leave scratches. If you have any lacquer remaining, paint those areas again with the stripper.

If you use this chemical method of stripping, your horn should look fairly presentable after polishing with something like Flitz metal polish.

VetPsychWars · Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 4:18 am Post subject:

How about leave it alone? The lacquer protects the horn from the environment and you.

Tom
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1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1

Geodude · Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 4:37 am Post subject:

If you use a methylene chloride based stripper, be sure to work in a very well ventilated area. You want to minimize your exposure and it happens to be one of the chemicals from which a respirator won't really give you significant protection. Wear the right gloves and eye protection too. Good luck with your project.

Yamahaguy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3992

iiipopes · Heavyweight Member Joined: 29 Jun 2015 Posts: 551

Why? If it is an older horn with traditionally sprayed thicker lacquer, instead of a newer horn with the micro-thin electro-epoxy lacquer, it may actually help the tone of the horn to get its darker signature tone.

And if it is the newer electro-epoxy lacquer, you aren't going to get it off, anyway, without major chemical surgery.

Let the horn tell its story, keep what is left of the lacquer on the horn in good shape, and enjoy playing instead of worrying about what the horn looks like.
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King Super 20 Trumpet; Sov 921 Cornet
Bach cornet modded to be a 181L clone
Couesnon Flugelhorn and C trumpet

fraserhutch · Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 10:22 am Post subject:

VetPsychWars · Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 8:19 am Post subject:

RandyTX · Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 8:44 am Post subject:

It also depends upon the kind of lacquer used. The really old stuff will sometimes come off in a bathtub filled with hot water. That's not true with newer horns.
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"Music is like candy, you throw the (w)rappers away."

LittleRusty · Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 9:06 am Post subject:

Brad361 · Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 2:57 pm Post subject:

LittleRusty · Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 3:05 pm Post subject:

Rene Janisse · Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 5:26 pm Post subject: Stripping the lacquer off

I few years ago I found a trumpet that was painted with red lacquer ( I couldn't tell what make of trumpet it was). I used Lapages Lacquer remover and it turned out really great. Under the the paint was a Courtois Brevete about 1967 vintage. I live in Canada, not sure if you have the same product in the U.S.