Raw Brass Odor

[Jedi Master]

I have noticed that there is a certain odor to my raw brass horn, that seems to be attaching itself to the interior of the hard case! Is there any treatment to keep the patina from forming, and to eliminate the odor?

[circusboy]

A Jedi Master must grow to love the smell and the patina of raw brass.

When I had a raw brass horn, the smell was all a part of the experience for me. I really DID like it.

[iiipopes]

You think the smell of raw brass is bad? You ought to live with the smell of 80 year old silver tarnish on the 38K! It's all part of what makes us tuba players.

[djwesp]

Turtle Wax works well for this.

THe smell goes away... granted you like the turtle wax smell. It also evens out (but does not prevent) the "raw brass" patina.

There is also an accelerator for the patina, when used diminishes it from smelling. I got it from Jeff Stelling.

[Matt Walters]

Five to six days a week I leave home smelling of clean clothes and light after-shave. Then I work in a brass store 8-12 hours a day. Luckily when I get home my wife says, "I like the way you smell. You smell like you and brass."

[bigbob]

Ahhh such a good smell yellow zink and copper<s>...bigbob

[tubatooter1940]

In my case, it's the player being more odiferous than the tuba.

[Dan Schultz]

Brass is a WONDERFUL smell! I'm up to me elbows in it all day long. Toss in some soldering acid and burned lacquer and I'm in Heaven!

Now... if you really want to know what a bad smell is.... work on a 'spitter's' saxophone who still carries the horn around in the original case!