Preserving raw brass

Post Reply
User avatar
Kingfan
Posts: 1132
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:32 pm
Location: Cleveland, OH

Preserving raw brass

Post by Kingfan »

My TR180 had red oxidation on the parts of the surface of the bell and tubing. I carefully cleaned it off. I'm happy to say it wasn't full blown red rot, it was just on the surface only. It still isn't a pretty horn, just less ugly... OK, now what? Car wax, spray furniture polish, a spray can of clear lacquer, Sherwin-Williams exterior latex? Just kidding on the last one!
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing! :D
Greg Songer
King 606, King 3B-F: DE LT101/LTD/D3
King 4B-F: Bach 5G Megatone gold plated
King 2107 bass: DE MB109/MB J/J8 King
User avatar
hyperbolica
Posts: 2792
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:31 am

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by hyperbolica »

I have several horns in total or partial raw brass. Get grips or guards or wraps for the areas your skin (or white shirt collars) touches.
Last edited by hyperbolica on Fri Nov 29, 2019 9:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
Burgerbob
Posts: 4526
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 8:10 pm
Location: LA
Contact:

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by Burgerbob »

Just let it be, polish when you want.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
User avatar
paulyg
Posts: 684
Joined: Thu May 17, 2018 12:30 pm

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by paulyg »

Patina is good, it will passivate the surface and make it resistant to further corrosion- red rot and the like.

Water spots are not quite as good- these can lead to rot on thin metal.

Oil should not cause much of an issue, but it will cause the brass to patina at a different rate (faster). If you have acidic skin, it may do more damage.

Raw brass horns become low-maintenance around 10-20 years after they've been polished. Until that point, just be sure to wipe off all water drops and oil left behind after playing. I spray mine with Pledge furniture polish to help protect it.
Paul Gilles
Aerospace Engineer & Trombone Player
User avatar
Kingfan
Posts: 1132
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:32 pm
Location: Cleveland, OH

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by Kingfan »

I used Barkeeper's Friend to get the worst of the corrosion off. What should I use to finish the cleaning job and polish the brass?
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing! :D
Greg Songer
King 606, King 3B-F: DE LT101/LTD/D3
King 4B-F: Bach 5G Megatone gold plated
King 2107 bass: DE MB109/MB J/J8 King
Kbiggs
Posts: 1125
Joined: Sat Mar 24, 2018 11:46 am
Location: Vancouver WA

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by Kbiggs »

Wright’s Brass Polish, the paste variety. It’s minimally abrasive.
Kenneth Biggs
I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
—Mark Twain (attributed)
mrdeacon
Posts: 968
Joined: Tue May 08, 2018 2:05 am
Location: Los Angeles, California

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by mrdeacon »

If you're worried about acid hands eating your horn all you have to do it's wipe it down after playing. Your horn will still patina but it won't get super nasty like it normally would.
Rath R1 2000s, Elliott XT
Bach 42 1974, Elliott XT
Holton 169 1965, Elliott LB
Minick Bass Trombone 1980s, Elliott LB
User avatar
Kingfan
Posts: 1132
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:32 pm
Location: Cleveland, OH

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by Kingfan »

Kbiggs wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2019 6:12 pm Wright’s Brass Polish, the paste variety. It’s minimally abrasive.
Thanks. Found some in the kitchen. I know what I'm doing tomorrow now!
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing! :D
Greg Songer
King 606, King 3B-F: DE LT101/LTD/D3
King 4B-F: Bach 5G Megatone gold plated
King 2107 bass: DE MB109/MB J/J8 King
User avatar
Backbone
Posts: 149
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:46 pm

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by Backbone »

Kingfan wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 9:21 pm
Kbiggs wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2019 6:12 pm Wright’s Brass Polish, the paste variety. It’s minimally abrasive.
Thanks. Found some in the kitchen. I know what I'm doing tomorrow now!
Pics?
User avatar
Kingfan
Posts: 1132
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:32 pm
Location: Cleveland, OH

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by Kingfan »

Backbone wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2019 5:20 pm
Kingfan wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 9:21 pm

Thanks. Found some in the kitchen. I know what I'm doing tomorrow now!
Pics?
Never figured out how to post pics on this forum. Sorry!
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are still missing! :D
Greg Songer
King 606, King 3B-F: DE LT101/LTD/D3
King 4B-F: Bach 5G Megatone gold plated
King 2107 bass: DE MB109/MB J/J8 King
JeffDeault
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2019 1:09 pm
Location: Rouyn-Noranda, Qc, Can

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by JeffDeault »

Something else that can help is having a VCI diffuser in your horn case. Like Zerust VC2 or similar. They're common in electrical cabinets and firearm storages. What they do is releasing a gas that reacts with humidity and inhibit oxidation. Drop one in your case and replace it every one or two years.

Won't protect your horn when you play with, but will help keeping it from oxidation when stored in the case.
ZulBone
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 10:55 pm

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by ZulBone »

paulyg wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2019 5:35 pm Patina is good, it will passivate the surface and make it resistant to further corrosion- red rot and the like.

Water spots are not quite as good- these can lead to rot on thin metal.

Oil should not cause much of an issue, but it will cause the brass to patina at a different rate (faster). If you have acidic skin, it may do more damage.

Raw brass horns become low-maintenance around 10-20 years after they've been polished. Until that point, just be sure to wipe off all water drops and oil left behind after playing. I spray mine with Pledge furniture polish to help protect it.
Does that mean water spots should be polished off? Or should they be left alone?
User avatar
harrisonreed
Posts: 4489
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:18 pm
Location: Fort Riley, Kansas
Contact:

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by harrisonreed »

I heard of people using turtle wax or car wax to cover newly polished raw brass. Is that OK to do? I'm still trying to figure out how to clean up the neck pipe on my 88H and maybe that's the way
User avatar
BGuttman
Posts: 5893
Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:19 am
Location: Cow Hampshire

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by BGuttman »

Car wax or Butcher's wax will help. None is a permanent solution. Lacquer is much better.

Wax will preserve the brass finish for a few months, after which you will have to wax it again (probably after another polish).

Back in the Bad Old Days there was a treatment for brass that kept it looking the same forever. Problem is, it contains some really hazardous metals.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
btone
Posts: 126
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 8:14 am
Location: MS
Contact:

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by btone »

I have a number of horns with raw brass bells. +1 for Wright's brass polish (occasionally) and Pledge (every few weeks) and making to be sure to remove fingerprints (daily) and water spots routinely. I also recommend routinely using a chamois when wiping down the bell, a lacquered horn, or a mouthpiece (especially the rim) so as to avoid dust scratches.
User avatar
vetsurginc
Posts: 108
Joined: Sat Jun 29, 2019 10:26 am

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by vetsurginc »

Renaissance micro-crystalline wax polish works nicely as well (museums use for armor, swords, and other metals). Does not produce a high shine. But good protection.
User avatar
ssking2b
Posts: 352
Joined: Sat Sep 29, 2018 1:34 pm
Location: Richmond, VA metropolitan area
Contact:

Re: Preserving raw brass

Post by ssking2b »

I have found that a good non-abrasive car polish works well - like NU Finish, Simonize Non-Abrasive Car Polish, or a non-toxic cleaner polish like FLITZ. All need to be re-done after a few months, but they work great and add no weight or yucchhk to the horn. They don't change the playing characteristics. I have been using that sort of stuff on my horns for over 30 years.
===============================================
XO Brass Artist - http://www.pjonestrombone.com
===============================================
Post Reply

Return to “Maintenance”