Nickel sensitivity

Funknfritter · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 6:42 am Post subject: Nickel sensitivity

Hi folks,

I recently purchased a raw brass horn with nickel silver sleeves on the tuning slides. Apparently I have a sensitivity to nickel and i get annoying little bumps and blisters on my left hand at the contact points. I currently wear a jeweler's glove on my hand, but i really don't like the feel or the look (i know, it's silly but it still bothers me.)

I am thinking of painting a thin layer of fingernail polish over the contact points, but I'm wondering if that amount of coating would have a negative effect on how the horn plays and resonates. My other thought would be a precision application of clear packing tape around the slides at those contact points.

Has any of you done something like this?

Richard III · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 6:51 am Post subject:

Life is too short to deal with horns that don't work for us. Move on to another. The world is full of wonderful instruments that won't cause you problems.
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

Funknfritter · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 6:54 am Post subject:

Steve Hollahan · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 6:58 am Post subject: Nickel allergy

This quite common allergy can be prevented by purchase of alcohol fuel, doing a quick blast of clear lacquer.

Suggest wiring or setting up slides and giving 2 coats. If nickel parts are on horn body, mask off and give 2 coats.

This should give you sufficient protection for both horn and you.
_________________
Steve Hollahan
Bach 37, 229 C
Yamaha 9620 D-Eb, 741 C, Flugel
Kanstul 900 piccolo trumpet
Sculptured Recrafting Custom Instrument Repair
and Restoration
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yourbrass · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 11:43 am Post subject:

You could also try Mr. Becker's trick of waxing the instrument w/Pledge.
That would be less invasive than trying to lacquer it.
Good Luck.
_________________
"Strive for tone." -John Coppola
Edwards X-13
ACB MV3C /ACB A1/26 backbore
https://yourbrass.com/

Funknfritter · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:29 pm Post subject:

LittleRusty · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:31 pm Post subject:

Removing the layer of wax might be an issue if you decide to try the nail polish or lacquer

Kumara999 · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 1:53 pm Post subject:

As someone that is working through metal allergies - raw brass, copper, nickel, silverplate. I would strongly recommend getting rid of the horn. If you are having a reaction I would expect the more you continue to expose yourself the worse things will get.

I have had to move to acrylic mouthpieces and have a reaction when playing both raw brass and copper horns if I accidently touch the mouthpiece.

I have decided to only play with things that do not cause a reaction. Why play roulette with your health.

Heather.

Crazy Finn · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 3:53 pm Post subject:

Divitt Trumpets · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:39 pm Post subject:

Getting it professionally lacquered is the best thing to do, but clear nail polish will work on contact areas, and need to be reapplied as needed.

If you like the horn, there's no reason to ditch it when there are options available to help you.
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Kumara999 · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 3:17 am Post subject:

Hey Ewan. When I had inquired about getting my PUJE professionally lacquered before I decided to sell it instead I would easily have been in an extra $500 CDN with shipping both ways.

At least in Canada, that is not a cheap alternative. Any options are really limited on who to go to.

Just my 2 cents.

Heather.

Divitt Trumpets · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 3:53 am Post subject:

Yes, good lacquering isn't cheap, but if the instrument is great, it might be a worthwhile investment.
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Kumara999 · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 4:35 am Post subject:

Agreed Ewan. If you love the horn it’s a worthwhile investment but if your in it to flip later you would never get that investment back.

Heather.

Kumara999 · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2021 4:36 am Post subject:

Agreed Ewan. If you love the horn it’s a worthwhile investment but if your in it to flip later you would never get that investment back.

Heather.

shofarguy · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2021 6:23 am Post subject:

Back you the OP's original question: You would probably not notice any difference in how your horn plays if you apply a thin coat of fingernail polish to the contact areas. If it does happen to change the horn adversely, you can simply use fingernail polish remover to take it off. No harm done.

If you go that route, I recommend that you give the horn a good bath, then prep the areas you're going to coat with 99% Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) from a grocery store or pharmacy. This leaves the least amount of residue on the surface to foul the bond between the metal and lacquer. In tests I performed back in 2013, even the more common 91% Isopropyl alcohol left noticeably more residue behind. Use a cotton round from the cosmetic aisle to easily apply the alcohol to the metal.
_________________
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.