spray can lacquer for brass finish touchups

[roynj]

Recently I've acquired some horns that have small areas of lacquer loss. I was thinking of possibly touching up the lacquer with one of the spray can lacquer products out there. I noticed many different makes of spray lacquer and I'd be curious if any techs out there might have a favorite brand/type that can be used for this purpose. I've seen products out there by Mohawk, Krylon, Allied, and others. Any advice or ideas would be appreciated. I have two trumpets at the moment that could use a little touch up in certain areas. One is a Bach and the other is a Conn. The lacquer appears to be clear (untinted) on both horns.

[JayKosta]

For small 'contact area' protection. I use clear 'lens repair tape' from auto parts store. It is quite thick and durable, and easy to cut to shape.
Using 'rattle can' spray lacquer might be possible, but is unlikely to give a durable and good appearance.

Jay
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Most Important Note ? - the next one !
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PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
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[jondrowjf@gmail.com]

Jay,
Thanks for the tip.
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Denis Wick 4 W classic gold short shank mouthpiece
Getzen 4 B short shank mouthpiece
Yamaha 11 e short shank mouthpiece
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[LittleRusty]

Another option is to use clear nail polish to cover the bare spots and reinforce/protect the existing lacquer.

[jondrowjf@gmail.com]

On the trumpet, I am selling there are scratches on the 3rd slide, tuning slide and 3rd valve block.
_________________
King 603 cornet American wrap
Jupiter 520 M shepherds crook
Denis Wick 4 W classic gold short shank mouthpiece
Getzen 4 B short shank mouthpiece
Yamaha 11 e short shank mouthpiece
Vincent Bach 5 B short shank mouthpiece

[Crazy Finn]

Back when I worked in the music shop, the repair techs would sometimes spot spray a part they had worked on.

Actually, I think my buddy spot lacquered the fixed 3rd valve ring that he put on for me. I'd say it lasted a few weeks at most, so don't get your hopes up.

Of course, several of my horns, rather than have spots of missing lacquer, only have some spots with lacquer. There's enough on there were it doesn't feel like holding my raw brass horns, so that's good enough for me.
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[mike ansberry]

If I was gonna spray with a rattle can I would buy a can of Nikolas from Ferrees. https://onedrive.live.com/View.aspx?resid=28768D859848DFCB!31697&authkey=!ABl7DsaggTRNGFs

Spraying lacquer really requires experience. You can make a mess quickly. I use some newspaper and tape to shield the area you don't want lacquered. Study spray techniques on Youtube or some similar venue.

I have had great luck with the Nikolas lacquer. I was given a Leblanc Paris large bore trumpet that was run over by a motorcycle. After completely repairing it I sprayed it with the Nikolas. I had it for decades after that. The lacquer developed a nice patina.

If you don't prepare the surface correctly the lacquer will not last long.
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Music is a fire in your belly, fighting to get out. You'd better put a horn in the way before someone gets hurt.

[roynj]

Mike,
Thanks! I will try the Nikolas. I just want to spot treat some areas where a prior brace repair was done by a previous owner. I fully understand the need for proper surface prep and masking of areas that we don't want to treat. Good idea to check youtube. Cheers, Roy

[Ed Kennedy]

[lipshurt]

I have done several whole horns with the nikolas cans. And it lasts a good long time it you do it right and maintain it right.
1) clean and degrease. I used to use lacquer thinner, but now I use alcohol and it’s seems to be better. Before that clean real good with dawn detergent. If it is a brushed finish I use something like soft scrub and that really cleans it. You have to rinse it really good after that though and I don’t get that inside anything.. I put it on a cloth and wipe the main surface areas.

2) the temperature of the air needs to be cool to get it flow and look nice. Like 70 or lower. The temperature of the cans needs to be higher, like 110 degrees. So I put in the sun, or in a pot of hot tap water. They spray great that way.

3) put it on pretty thick. Watch the video of Dominic calichio. Spray is big sweeps about a foot from the surface. Keep that distance consistent. After about 10 seconds it’s ok to hit the same area again with a sweep. Hit from all angles, which means that a lot of it will be hit maybe 5 times. If it runs, start over:) it does not really want to run though. It is pretty easy to get the hang of it.

4) this is big: Avoid putting it in WATER. Wipe off water spots every time. IT does not stand up to water as well as factory lacquer. If you do that it will last years and look good.
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[JayKosta]