Raw brass question

[Brad361]

To the guys who play raw brass horns: wax, or not? I do have a horn in raw brass, so I don’t think I have any sensitivity to it, though I don’t play it a lot.

But I have a horn incoming, does applying a caranuba wax hold off the patina? For how long, and does it feel either sticky or slippery?

Thanks,

Brad
_________________
When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

[jhatpro]

I used to wax my horns but got tired of messing with it. Besides, I like the patina and never seemed to be allergic to it.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

[Dayton]

[shofarguy]

Brad,

I know you're aware of my raw finished flugelhorn, so I won't rehash the things I've written. Instead, I want to share something I do in the day-to-day. Years ago I bought a package of blue microfibre towels from Home Depot's cleaning aisle. They look like baby blue terry cloth. After ten years, I still have one or two fresh ones that we haven't used yet.

I prefer these to the yellow towels that Flip and others use, because I find them softer and yet more "grabby". Microfibre is supposed to have little hooks that scour whatever surface they touch and these blue towels do a great job of that without scratching. I also use them as spit rags to catch the moisture that accumulates during play sessions, which recently presented a problem.

I like how they work, but not how they look. Baby blue against concert black just isn't a good thing. So, I looked online and found a supplier of black microfiber towels on Amazon. I bought a package of 16, I believe. They have no tags and soft edge binding. The nap is thick and long on one side, which makes them very absorbent, once they have been laundered. They seem to be very color-fast, too. These new towels work even better than the blue ones.

I use a clean towel (no spit or valve oil) to wipe my flugelhorn down, periodically. This removes some of the dark layer and dull, rusty red that accumulates on the surface of the brass and copper. It's not as good as polishing, but it helps the metal look nicer longer between polishings. I prefer not to let much patina develop, other than the colors on the copper.

Btw, I tried an automotive TurtleWax product once. I can't say if any of it even stuck to the metal. My hands don't react to the brass or copper, so I don't use wax. It may not be a total waste of time, but I didn't observe any benefit. YMMV.
_________________
Brian A. Douglas

Flip Oakes Wild Thing Bb Trumpet in copper
Flip Oakes Wild Thing Flugelhorn in copper


There is one reason that I practice: to be ready at the downbeat when the final trumpet sounds.

[X200]

My hands react with and smell terrible after handling raw brass, so I wear lightweight cotton gloves while playing natural trumpet. I view the patina as part of the deal with raw brass, so no polishing or waxing.

[Brad361]