Clear Nail Polish for Protection?

mrhappy · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 7:33 pm Post subject: Clear Nail Polish for Protection?

So I have this Courtois Flugelhorn from the late 30's that has a few area's where the finish has worn through to the brass ... someone recommended that I put some clear nail polish on those areas to add a layer of protection. Does this sound like a good idea? Doesn't seem like it would cause any problems. Does anyone do this or have an alternate idea/method?

Thanks
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MH

tptptp · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:23 pm Post subject:

Not for that exactly, but worse.
I have a grandson who started trumpet recently. I had an old run-down Blessing trumpet which had been in the closet for 20 years. The leadpipe had red rot and a 3” long crack. Played terrible, of course. I spread clear nail polish over the crack, let it dry, and it played great!
I have since bought him a better horn.
Nail polish is a pretty good sealant!
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Craig Mitchell

mrhappy · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:39 pm Post subject:

Holy Cow!! I'm hitting the store first thing in the morning!!

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MH

Bill Ortiz · Heavyweight Member Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 904

It works great in that regard-brass guru Dick Akright hipped me to that. He advised me to use clear nail polish on areas that the lacquer had worn away (contact points) to protect the exposed brass.
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'56 Martin Committee Deluxe #2 trumpet
14B Schilke mouthpiece
Couesnon Paris flugelhorn
Bob Reeves Sleeves and PVA

mrhappy · Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2019 9:27 pm Post subject:

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

Good old school fix. Recommend Sally Hanson's "Hard as Nails."

trpthrld · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4810

Joe Marcinkiewicz hipped me to clear nail polish years ago.

It works great but a word of caution - let it dry completely...as in if you think it's dry, let it dry longer - before putting it back in any case or gig bag. Any undried polish will attach itself to case lining.
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Tim Wendt

www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=146827&s=The-Best-Trumpet-Lead-Pipe-Swab-EVER--

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPWAJqghk24&feature=youtu.be

Irving · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 1888

Clear nail polish is a good temporary covering for spots where the lacquer has worn off. The problem is that the edges start to turn green. There is probably a way of treating the raw brass before putting nail polish on it. Maybe treating it with acetone, which can also be used to remove nail polish. One of the chemists here might know of a solution.

JayKosta · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 5:57 am Post subject:

I use clear thick plastic tape - it's sold in auto parts stores to cover cracks in tail lights, etc.
First clean the horn, then cut to a suitable size with rounded corners and apply.

And NO, a small patch won't change the sound to any noticeable amount. I placed such a patch on the bottom of the bell, just forward of the 3rd valve because the lacquer had worn thru and the raw brass always made a stain on my LH index finger. Problem fixed, and no change in sound.

If you want to remove the tape, just heat it slightly with a hair dryer to soften the adhesive.

Jay
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Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

mrhappy · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 6:06 am Post subject:

mrhappy · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 6:08 am Post subject:

mrhappy · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 6:12 am Post subject:

mrhappy · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 6:16 am Post subject:

adagiotrumpet · Heavyweight Member Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 908

mrhappy · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 8:38 am Post subject:

so what · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2023 8:26 pm Post subject:

Nail polish is remarkably expensive, I've found. There must be a cheaper source for clear lacquer. Does anyone have any tips on this ?

SilverSpunk · Regular Member Joined: 17 Oct 2022 Posts: 91