Proper care for raw brass horn

JSTpt1 · Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 8:14 pm Post subject: Proper care for raw brass horn

Does anyone know how to properly take care of a raw brass trumpet? ie. How to keep it from tarneshing too much, too quickly? Can it be cleaned like a silver horn? If anyone has any ideas that would be great. Thanks
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gregc · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 6:09 am Post subject:

I just try to clean it well after each use. Eventually, it will get spotty, and funky in spots. Get some brass cleaner and clean it up. I try not to use anything too abrasive. I want to keep all the material in tact. No bigt deal really.

gregc

roynj · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Oct 2002 Posts: 2065

A raw brass horn (i.e., one with no lacquer finish over the brass) is entirely up to the owner as to what finish one desires. One can allow the brass to oxidize and become brownish and dull, or one can attempt to keep up a shiny polish finish on the horn. It's entirely up to the individual -- each to his own, so to say. I prefer a raw brass horn to appear dull and brownish. However, if I wanted it to shine I'd use a mild cleaner like Twinkle (for copper) on it. I'd stay away from brasso because (a) it stinks, and (b) it leaves a residue that I believe is difficult to remove from the brass.

MikeBb · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 7:27 am Post subject:

I spoke with a metalworking guy who builds instruments and parts, and he said the worries about Brasso are unfounded. I believed it was too abrasive, but he pointed out that almost everyone in the military uses it regularly, and that you never see military belt buckles get worn out through from too much cleaning.....

ken_fung · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 8:36 am Post subject:

I personally would not try to shine a raw brass horn too often. When it got tarnished, the brass is rendered passive due to the layer of oxidation. You polish away the oxidation, the new layer will become oxidized...

The biggest enemy for raw brass horn is moisture, do not put it in the case unless you are sure it's absolutely dry or else it will develop a very undesirable green "rust".

ARB · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 11:04 am Post subject:

ROGERIO · Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 11:57 am Post subject: Avon Product

I own 4 horns that are raw brass. This is what I do now:

After years of polishing I came across a product my wife uses from Avon called "Skin So Soft". It's a oily liquid she uses on dry skin. It came with a reference net site "1,000 uses for Skin So Soft". The stuff does everything... takes sticky left over glue from labels etc off anything. Easy on paint so you can use it to remove things on your car paint... Anyway... one of the listed uses for it was to keep brass from tarnishing. So I tried it... and it's still working a year later... eventually the brass did darken a bit but it was a even change and not the spots you get from just leaving it alone. Just a light coat will do the trick...

Plus it does have a nice smell to it.... folks I play with think I smell "lovely"