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fraserhutch Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 2548 Location: Oakville, ON Canada
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 1:46 pm Post subject: Stripping lacquer from a flugelhorn |
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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. _________________ Schilke B1
Callet Jazz
Scodwell Standard Bb
Roger Ingram 1600is
Wild Thing Flugel
Dillon Rotary Picc.
GR and Curry Mouthpieces |
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JoeLoeffler Veteran Member
Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 243
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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VetPsychWars Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 4:18 am Post subject: |
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How about leave it alone? The lacquer protects the horn from the environment and you.
Tom _________________ 1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1 |
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Geodude Heavyweight Member
Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 588 Location: Chicago 'burbs
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 4:37 am Post subject: |
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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. |
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Yamahaguy Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 3992
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 4:41 am Post subject: Re: Stripping lacquer from a flugelhorn |
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fraserhutch wrote: | I have no experience stripping or replating.
I would keep the horn as raw brass. | You realize the tone and/or response might change, yes?
At least it did in my case, although I didn't do it myself.
I felt more comfortable sending it to a qualified tech... |
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iiipopes Heavyweight Member
Joined: 29 Jun 2015 Posts: 554
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 6:37 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ King Super 20 Trumpet; Sov 921 Cornet
Bach cornet modded to be a 181L clone
Couesnon Flugelhorn and C trumpet |
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fraserhutch Heavyweight Member
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 2548 Location: Oakville, ON Canada
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Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 10:22 am Post subject: |
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VetPsychWars wrote: | How about leave it alone? The lacquer protects the horn from the environment and you.
Tom |
Lacquer chips and fades, and I love raw brass. My main horn, a Scodwell, is raw brass and I love it. _________________ Schilke B1
Callet Jazz
Scodwell Standard Bb
Roger Ingram 1600is
Wild Thing Flugel
Dillon Rotary Picc.
GR and Curry Mouthpieces |
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VetPsychWars Heavyweight Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 7196 Location: Greenfield WI
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Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 8:19 am Post subject: |
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fraserhutch wrote: | VetPsychWars wrote: | How about leave it alone? The lacquer protects the horn from the environment and you.
Tom |
Lacquer chips and fades, and I love raw brass. My main horn, a Scodwell, is raw brass and I love it. |
If you're convinced, then the answer is "send it to your tech."
Ain't worth the hassle.
Tom _________________ 1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1 |
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RandyTX Heavyweight Member
Joined: 25 Mar 2010 Posts: 5299 Location: Central Texas
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Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 8:44 am Post subject: |
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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. _________________ "Music is like candy, you throw the (w)rappers away." |
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LittleRusty Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 12662 Location: Gardena, Ca
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Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 9:06 am Post subject: |
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RandyTX wrote: | 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. |
If the horn is the one in his signature it is a wild thing. So not the old stuff. |
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Brad361 Heavyweight Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 7080 Location: Houston, TX.
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Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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LittleRusty wrote: | RandyTX wrote: | 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. |
If the horn is the one in his signature it is a wild thing. So not the old stuff. |
Hmm....the Wild Thing flugel is not exactly a cheapie, no way would I try DIY lacquer removal.
Brad _________________ When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval |
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LittleRusty Heavyweight Member
Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 12662 Location: Gardena, Ca
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Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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Brad361 wrote: | LittleRusty wrote: | RandyTX wrote: | 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. |
If the horn is the one in his signature it is a wild thing. So not the old stuff. |
Hmm....the Wild Thing flugel is not exactly a cheapie, no way would I try DIY lacquer removal.
Brad |
Agreed. That said the OP had been around for a long while, so he probably is not some high school student wanting to be cool.
And he has some bucks tied up in his collection.
One thing he might consider is discussing it with Flip. |
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Rene Janisse Regular Member
Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 28 Location: Camrose Alberta
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Posted: Fri May 25, 2018 5:26 pm Post subject: Stripping the lacquer off |
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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. |
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