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Post by jackbaynes on Feb 5, 2006 21:16:47 GMT
Having just scanned Billj's string on cleaning copper & brass etc. It got me thinking - And this is not really a model engineering question but hear goes anyway - my son has been asking me how to remove what's left of the gold laqueur plating on his trumpet so he can buff up the brass underneath. Does anyone out there know if there is a process to achieve this. If only I could find a bucket of human sweat, that would do the trick as where the hand grips the instrument is where most of the plating has come off. Or maybe you might suggest I bin it and buy him a new one. Regards Jack.
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Post by the_viffer on Feb 5, 2006 21:50:11 GMT
Is it gold metal plate or gold colour lacquer?
If the latter then Horolene (ex clock restorers' suppliers) will do the job very nicely as well as clean your tubes out. Meths works too and doesn't smell half as bad but won't clean the brass so well.
If the former then I'm afraid it is mechanical only,
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Post by jackbaynes on Feb 5, 2006 22:03:24 GMT
Hi the_viffer, I'm pretty certain it's gold colour lacquer. In what form does this Horolene come, do I brush it on or what. Thanks for the response. Regards Jack
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Post by steammadman on Feb 5, 2006 23:07:05 GMT
Remember the old saying Jack , "Many a good tune played on an OLD trumpet.
(unless of coarse i'm playing it ), then it's NEVER a good tune, full stop.
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Post by the_viffer on Feb 6, 2006 15:42:20 GMT
Jack Hi It comes in a litre tin like Nitromors. It is a rather thick liquid. It reeks of ammonia. You dilute 7 to 1 with water (do it outside!) and soak the brass in it. The solution goes a redbrown colour with time but it whips away lacquer and leaves the brass really bright. There is link for it here: www.clock-part.com/muk/parts/chap10/0364000115.htm. You can get it from HS Walsh and elsewhere. It might be worth trying your local clock repairer or taking a day trip to London to buy from Walsh's as shipping is rather expensive on account of it being so unbelievably pongy if it escapes. Any problems give me a shout.
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Post by jackbaynes on Feb 7, 2006 20:17:09 GMT
Thanks for all your info gents, not sure about old trumpets though, I thought it was fiddles! but maybe your right, fiddles are not as engineer friendly....for fixin I mean.
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