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I have an older F horn, and I've thought about un-laquering part of it (bell, leadpipe) to try and enhance the sound. Actually, the lacquer in some areas is already patchy, so I'd just be speeding up the natural-wear process by about a decade. I'm not set on this yet - just something I'm tossin' around in the old noggin'.

So, for the repair techs, and anyone with knowledge: how would you go about removing laquer on part of a horn? Not sure I'm comfortable doing it myself, but more just curious.

Also, how would you go about caring for bare brass?

Any input is welcome!

Thanks a bunch!

Aircraft or Marine grade stripper does the trick.


Do this outside and DO NOT GET ANY ON YOUR SKIN. Wear chem gloves, NOT LATEX GLOVES. Apply with a paint brush and let sit (not until it evaporates). Then just get a scrapper tool or VERY VERY fine steel wool and remove the laquer.

skinnytuba wrote:I have an older F horn,
...
Miraphone 181F
....

Is a Miraphone 181 really an "older F horn" ?

A raw brass horn can really be a pain. Some people have bad skin reactions to the raw brass. If your skin is eating through the lacquer, you should probably go see a doctor to make sure you're ok.

Removing the lacquer may seem to change the sound up close, but it won't be any different 20 feet away.

Personally, I am really opposed to buying raw brass horns unless they're (A) cheaper because they're unlaquered or (B) the model I want doesn't come any other way. For an example
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a raw brass Matt Walters creation, Alex, or old B&S F if it was raw brass if that's what I felt I had to have.

When I see an instrument that originally came with a nice shiny lacquer finish (like pretty much all Miraphones) and it now has the lacquer removed, I think it has probably been damaged, pulled apart, fixed and reassembled.

I'm with CJK -- take your lacquer off the old-fashioned way: 20 years worth of use and polishing.