Nail polish remover to remove lacquer ???

Ed Lee

Has anyone tried to use nail polish remover to remove lacquer from a brass instrument? Isn't such ethyl methyl ketone as is also a solvent for crazy glue?

VetPsychWars · Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 12:26 pm Post subject:

It's acetone, usually.

What lacquer it removes will depend on what lacquer is on the horn. Charlie Melk once replied to someone that acetone will not dissolve baked epoxy lacquer.

Tom
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Craig Swartz · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 6:01 am Post subject:

Just bathe the horn in really hot water, 160 degrees or greater. You'll be pleasantly surprised (or horrified).

KingSilverSonic · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:24 am Post subject:

I work in a lab and a number of years ago I obtained a number of pretty nasty solvents, about 4-5, and under a chemical hood soaked vintage lacquered slides for 30-40 minutes. All with no effect. I have yet to try the hot water, i.e., run the horn through the dish washer but hear that process works pretty well. Easy Off will do a good job on some lacquer finishes, but not all. Probably the epoxy lacquer is the more resilient. If you try Easy Off be very careful not to breath this stuff and use chemically resistant gloves.
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Ed Lee · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 12:22 pm Post subject:

My question is posed to address an Ambassador trumpet and I don't believe these ever used epoxy lacquers unless they were relacquered with such. I know the best "solution" is to have a tech strip it and then re-lacquer it --- thus I beat all of you to this punch line --- even though my question was serious. I'd presently estimate that 40 -50% of the lacquer is gone, but I'd like to spot test to see what would readily remove the rest.

James B. Quick · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:23 pm Post subject:

I used ethyl methyl ketone a few years ago to strip a bass trumpet. I can tell you that it must be used with adequate ventilation, and that you should not get it on your skin. It has a sweet smell, for the first few minutes, and after that you can't smell anything, for days. My liver is probably still damaged, as well...

Hot water only works on older types of lacquer. Epoxy lacquer is impervious to most commonly available solvents that I know of.

Sometimes it's best to let a professional deal with nasty solvents, one who has sufficient knowledge and a properly set up shop and just pay them...

jbq

jcmacman

Ed Lee · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject:

I do own a laboratory MSA chemical mask, having once worked with deadly organic chemicals that were quality controlled with esters vis either was used in the mix. When the canisters became outdated, I replaced them whether they were used or not (now 11 times, and due again this September). Having been used personally they were mine when I left that lab. You're right about hazard of MEK... IF, I'd want to do so inside a gas chamber so that the fumes wouldn't possibly get to me ... I'm already under the care of pulmonary specialist. Likewise, I've a gas mask issued to me while LEO and never used. Still in factory sealed pack. I'd have to look to see if those canisters have expiration date. I think such is same as issued to military.

Robert Rowe · Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2011 3:26 pm Post subject:

Maybe (?) I can use nail-polish remover to "peel paint off the back wall", since I can't find a horn that will do it for me ....

.

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homebilly · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 10:59 am Post subject:

I used boiling water on my ambassador
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jungledoc · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:19 am Post subject:

How'd it work?
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LittleRusty · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 8:15 am Post subject:

mcgyver · Regular Member Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Posts: 32

Nonsense Eliminator · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:46 am Post subject:

mcgyver · Regular Member Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Posts: 32

You are right. It never crossed my mind he could have meant Fahrenheit ((I'm from Europe).

Your other remark is really funny.

razeontherock · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:51 am Post subject:

I don't know about MEK but nail polish comes in two forms: non oily which is basically acetone, and non acetone. If MEK is as nasty as y'all are saying they can't be selling that over the counter can they?!?

mcgyver · Regular Member Joined: 08 Apr 2012 Posts: 32

It is not selling over the counter, but (laquer)thinner is and is a member of the acetone family just like MEK.

Brad361 · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 10:46 am Post subject: