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1. What causes the black spots? 2. How do you remove these black spots? 3. Can they cause problems if not removed? These spots I have only encountered on silver horns or all types, and I've polished with haggerty's silver spray polish to no avail. You can only see them when up close so they're not large, but I have seen larger versions on other horns. I believe the spots are made from water not dried up from the horn, but I'm not sure. Any help in the matter is appreciated.

Curious as to why I'm not getting a reply to my post, thought I would put it near the top again.

ThomasP wrote:Curious as to why I'm not getting a reply to my post, thought I would put it near the top again.

Probably because most folks don't know what you're talking about. The only black spots I've seen on a silverplated horn come off just fine with most silver polishes, although I've only tried the pink paste Hagerty's and not the spray.

You might try using a jeweler's rouge cloth on those black spots.

I have seen it on other horns, but my horn is the only one I haven't seen it totally come off.

Are these teeny tiny spots? I think I have an idea of what they look like, but I don't have a clue about what they are, either.

None of them are bigger than the tip of a Q-tip.

I think it is caused from water leaking from the leadpipe. I guess I will polish more and see if it comes off.

I think I may have the same problem with these small mysterious black spots that ThomasP does! For me, the spots are on the inside of the bell. They developed while my band was in Scotland 2002. It almost looks like something is leeching from the bell. I had it looked at by the local repairman, but he also had no idea what it was. At the end of the day, the spots aren't getting worse, and it doesn't affect the sound of the horn, so I will not be worrying about it.

Simon McCauley
10/27 Btln RSAR Band

It is only cosmetic, but it bugs me because I can see it! Maybe they will come off eventually.

ThomasP wrote:It is only cosmetic, but it bugs me because I can see it! Maybe they will come off eventually.

One way stubborn black spots can develop on silver (particularly shiny finishes) is if you've rinsed the horn with tap water containing small amounts of lead, mercury or arsenic and allowed the water to stand on the horn for a time. Because these metals are lower in the electrochemical series, they will depost on the horn, with some small amount of silver going into solution as a result.

The only way out of this one is to buff the black spots off and then to be sure to wipe your horn off after rinsing or washing it--or use distilled water.

I have some of these on the outside of my bell on my silver Kalison CC. Nothing will get it off.

I THINK IT DOES HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH WATER/SALIVA GETTING ON THE FINISH. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT THINGS AND NOTHING WILL PHASE IT. IT'S LIKE RED ROT.......ONLY ITS........BLACK ROT.