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I believe the stuff is Methyl Chlorl Hextate or something like that. It's very toxic; look into it before you mess with it. Generally it's in any can of paint stripper. Chris Olka turned me onto the stuff.

I think Ryan means Methylene Chloride. Here's the safety data sheet on it:

http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/M4420.htm

The stuff's nasty if you get on your skin or in your eyes. When you use it have a water supply around just in case it gets where it shouldn't be.

Ian Easton wrote:I've checked the archives, and can only find 'name-brand' lacquer stripper mentioned. As these brands are not available here, can anyone please identify the chemical/generic product that would remove standard lacquer?

Cheers,

Ian Easton

The guys are correct about paint remover and methylene chloride. However, you need to define what you mean by 'standard lacquer'. Some lacquers can be removed by simply using very hot water. Others like nitrocelulose and epoxy finishes require additional 'help'. Some lacquers can be burned off with a heat gun or low torch. However, I have not found anything that will quickly remove some of the old Conn and King lacquers... not even a flame!

Others like nitrocelulose and epoxy finishes require additional 'help'. Some lacquers can be burned off with a heat gun or low torch. However, I have not found anything that will quickly remove some of the old Conn and King lacquers... not even a flame!

I wasn't aware that anything but nitrocellulose (aka "real lacquer") and epoxy (aka "thick goop") were being used as instrument finishes nowadays, except for that awful King orange lacquer.

FWIW, you can sometimes get a better "bite" to remove the tough stuff by applying the ( semi-paste) remover to the horn, then adding a layer of paper towels soaked with the remover, then taping some plastic sheeting over the whole affair to retard evaporation. Let it sit for a day--even King lacuqer softens up after this treatment.

I used to play in a band that had a trombone player that smoked (a lot) and put out his cigarettes by crushing them against his (Conn) bell. No marks on the bell. That was in the 60's, I'm not sure if modern Conn instruments have the same quality.

Dave