Lacquer stripping? (opinions please)

S.S. · Veteran Member Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 316

Last week I stripped the lacquer off my Bach 37. A few trumpet players that I work with on occasions have done it so I like watching someone jump off a bridge did it too. I can definately notice a dramatic sound difference to the positive. But at the same time, I have alot of remorce as well. Questions roll through my head such as "did the metal stripper do any permanant damage to the metal that I am not aware of?" "Is the oxydation of the raw brass going to create red rot and problems that sometimes occur from the inside when inside oxydation happens"? "Can the salt from the sweat of my hands eat through the raw brass? If anyone has any thoughts let me know.
_________________
Current Horns
Kanstul 1500B body with a Bach 43 tunable bell, 37 LW tunable bell and a DEG 5 Signature Bell
Andalucía AdVance Lightweight - gold plated
Marceau - C Trumpet
Olds Superstar - Flugelhorn

eb1ch · Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2005 6:53 pm Post subject:

lots of people do it. i wouldn't worry much. Maybe use a vavle guard if you're real concerned. Maybe non corrosive brass polish on your horn would be good, sort of like waxing your car to protect the paint.

thatleadguy · Veteran Member Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 293

You will only run in to trouble if you constantly polish the brass. Letting it tarnish and turn brown will actually create a protective coat over the horn. The most protection you might want to consider is a LEATHER valve guard.

Enjoy your BRASS instrument!

S.S. · Veteran Member Joined: 10 May 2004 Posts: 316

tptscream · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 9:54 am Post subject:

Hi S.S., (or anyone), what did you use to strip the horn?
_________________
Bach 43*/43
Kanstul/Besson Meha
French Besson Stamm
Holton ST302 MF
Schilke B3
Olds Super (L.A.)
GR 64.7 mp (S/MS/M)
Getzen Signature Flugel- Stork 6FL

Kadams4458 · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:05 am Post subject:

tptscream · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 6:40 pm Post subject:

Sounds pretty high tech. Would a conventional paint/lacquer stripping solution work as well?
_________________
Bach 43*/43
Kanstul/Besson Meha
French Besson Stamm
Holton ST302 MF
Schilke B3
Olds Super (L.A.)
GR 64.7 mp (S/MS/M)
Getzen Signature Flugel- Stork 6FL

Robert Rowe · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 6:49 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I love the "raw" deal. About 25% of my horns are lacquer-free ... very cool, and "organic" -- especially, the ones with copper parts.
I use conventional paint / lacquer stripper; and, I am not impressed. It's a lot of work, and an environmental disaster (not as bad as those awful styrofoam packaging "peanuts"). This aircraft aerosol stripper sounds interesting. I've read that spray-on "E-Z Off" oven cleaner works pretty well ... anyone want to confirm ??

Robert Rowe

"...you cain't polish a turd!..." (old Southern expression)

Sooner

eb1ch · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:31 pm Post subject:

When I said to polish it I only meant once, certainly not regular intervals or often. The one time polish should help protect the raw brass just a little, and not hurt it that much. Probably not at all necessary. Maybe I’ll shut up since I’ve never actually owned a raw horn for more than a month.

swingintrpt · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 10:41 pm Post subject:

The laquer on Bach Strads will actually come off in a hot bath after a few hours soaking.
_________________
RJM
Examining the difference between
music and Music.

Tampahorn · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2005 11:45 pm Post subject:

I have used the aircraft stripper before and it works very well. I bought it at the auto parts store for about $5. There is an interesting product ive found for protecting brass, its called everbrite. It is a clear protective coating that is applied to brass and other metals to prevent oxidation. It leaves a beautiful finish on the horn. Once your horn is cleaned and polished, if you spray it with water that is basically the gloss you will get once the coating is applied. It is easily applied, you just wipe it on. The only down side is that it is not durable like a laquer coat and can be scratched more easily. On the other hand it is unique because it bonds to itself and you can touch up scratches very easy. Finally it is easily removed with denatured alcohol. The link is www.everbrite.net. A four ounce can will be enough for at least four trumpets.

Kadams4458 · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 4:45 am Post subject:

Robert Rowe · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 5:22 am Post subject:

...Gotta tell y'all....
A number of years ago, I was on a yacht, the old presidential (USA) yacht, Sequoia, (de-commisioned by that moron, Jim-uh Carter). Below decks, the engine room simply gleamed -- lotsa brass. I figured, "what a nightmare polishing chore" ... the mate winked, and told me their secret : "just wipe with oily rag, now-and-then".
Since then, I have applied this technique to my raw brass (& copper, & silver) horns -- in subtle moderation -- and it works beautifully. I have an old T-shirt rag that I use to daub / wipe excess valve oil ... it does double-duty as the wiping rag on the raw metal. Mind you, this is not an oil-soaked rag. It leaves an almost inperceptible film, and does not transfer to my hands. Of course I don't rub my eyes or play with my
"binky" without washing my hands (you have heard of washing your hands occasionally, right?). Some of you guys will be skeptical, as usual. So, don't do it. Apathy is worse than ignorance.

Robert Rowe

"...you cain't polish a turd!..." (old Southern expression)

TaylorBarnett80 · Veteran Member Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 188

I had a stripped horn for years and my only problem with it was that it would turn my skin green where I touched the raw brass. The green would wash off but it did have a unique smell that I grew to hate. I used a leather guard and some electrical tape to keep my skin (on my left hand) from turning green and to protect the horn from wear from the acids in my skin.
My only caution health wise is that if you have an open sore or cut, I would protect that from too much contact with the raw brass (not that I ever had a problem with poisoning).
It sure looks cool though.
Taylor
_________________
My debut album "For Someone" featuring original compositions and arrangements of pieces by John Lennon and Bela Bartok is available at <www>

thatleadguy · Veteran Member Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 293

thatleadguy · Veteran Member Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 293

Kadams4458 · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 6:07 am Post subject:

Bourbon City · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 4:04 pm Post subject:

This is for Kadams4458:

When you used the 3711 Mar-Hyde Tal-Strip II aerosol aircraft finish remover did you remove the valve slides before you applied the aerosol? Did you rub the parts? How long did it take to work? Where did you do it, inside in your bathtub or outside? Bad fumes? In other words, please tell me how you did it and tell me what you would do differently if you did it again.

This is great information.

Thank you,
_________________
Dale Schmidt, P.E.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Theta Tau Chapter