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May seem silly and something I should know, but I have only owned, a silver horn, a silver horn, a nickel plated horn, and a few raw brass pieces of plumbing...what do you use to keep a new lacquered horn clean and polished ?

I've always used either Windex or Lemon Pledge and some paper towels.

Works great, but look out with the Pledge -- it'll be really slippery afterwards.

Pledge. An old repairman told that years ago. I haven't have many lacquered horns to try it out on recently but I bet it still works. It has the advantage of not hurting the lacquer, too.

Thanks guys- what I thought- didnt want to be wrong and create a problem...all good !!

Yamaha makes a lacquer soap and a lacquer polish that is very good
http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-Lacquer- ... 2.Music123

I've found that a microfiber "miracle" cloth works better than anything. Just dampen slightly -- no chemicals, no smell.

http://www.starfibers.com/miraclecloth.php

Lemon Pledge, but watch out! - it'll be a little slippery when you're done

Couldnt agree more....I go through TONS of Pledge at my shop, all rental returns, and customers lacquered horns get a wipre down with it before it leaves. I prefer the orange scented version.

circusboy wrote:I've found that a microfiber "miracle" cloth works better than anything. Just dampen slightly -- no chemicals, no smell.

http://www.starfibers.com/miraclecloth.php

Yep. Microfiber towel and a trombone water sprayer gets lacquered finishes cleaner than anything else I've tried. No fine scratches, no residue, oilyness, or smells either. You can buy microfiber towels meant for auto detailing at an auto parts store, or at target in the car-wash aisle.

circusboy wrote:I've found that a microfiber "miracle" cloth works better than anything. Just dampen slightly -- no chemicals, no smell.

http://www.starfibers.com/miraclecloth.php

Yes, anything like this. I don't like to use chemical's if I don't need to. Especially when a damn cloth will work fine.

Ok ok...so I've used Pledge in the past to polish up a school horn. Instead of shiny, the lacquer was *smudged(??)*. I had only tried it on one section of the horn, and quickly gave up. Is there a "type" of Pledge we should completely stay away from? Or...am I nuts? (you better answer honestly )

Joseph "who's known to be nuts..."

UTSAtuba wrote:Ok ok...so I've used Pledge in the past to polish up a school horn. Instead of shiny, the lacquer was *smudged(??)*. I had only tried it on one section of the horn, and quickly gave up. Is there a "type" of Pledge we should completely stay away from? Or...am I nuts? (you better answer honestly )

Joseph "who's known to be nuts..."

The key is, like anything else, to spray the pledge on the cloth, and then apply the cloth to the horn. Don't put the pledge right on the horn. Also, you really need a polishing cloth that is made for that sorta thing. Think the kind of cloth you'd use on a 2010 Corvette.

pierso20 wrote:

UTSAtuba wrote:Ok ok...so I've used Pledge in the past to polish up a school horn. Instead of shiny, the lacquer was *smudged(??)*. I had only tried it on one section of the horn, and quickly gave up. Is there a "type" of Pledge we should completely stay away from? Or...am I nuts? (you better answer honestly )

Joseph "who's known to be nuts..."

The key is, like anything else, to spray the pledge on the cloth, and then apply the cloth to the horn. Don't put the pledge right on the horn. Also, you really need a polishing cloth that is made for that sorta thing. Think the kind of cloth you'd use on a 2010 Corvette.

Bingo. That's what I screwed up on. Oh...this was way before I found out about this forum

Joseph

Be careful using the shower method. Hot water (esp. on certain old lacquers, or if your lacquer is peeling and flaking off) will melt that lacquer off right before your eyes.

Avoid paper towels. They will scratch the surface slightly each time. Soft cloths only, please

J.c.S.

J.c. Sherman wrote:Avoid paper towels. They will scratch the surface slightly each time. Soft cloths only, please

J.c.S.

Yes...agreed. No Kilt's either

I like to treat the lacquer finish with Meguiar's auto cleaner wax, either in liquid or paste form. It is relatively inexpensive, and can be found at virtually any auto parts store, Wal-Mart and other places as well. The label says that it is clear-coat safe, and puts an invisible protection barrier that will stand up to harsh environmental elements (UV, pollution, bird crap), so I think it will protect the lacquer from acidic perspiration and skin oils from humans. I particularly like to use Meguiar's on lacquer finishes that have scratches, as it will polish-out fine scratches and make worse scratches less noticeable.

A long time ago, I was told by a repair tech that regular Pledge was OK, but to avoid Lemon Pledge, due to the citric acid not being the best for certain lacquers. Of course, if you wash your instrument regularly, the acids will be neutralized and therefore not be an issue.

Good point, Lee. I'll check the ingrediants for the citric... can't have acid

J.c.

Almost three pages and no one has suggested tuba toot paste yet???

Lee, would you use a microfiber cloth with that with Meguiar's auto cleaner wax or simply an old white cotton tee? I have some very fine scratches inside the bell from the previous owner of my Miraphone 191 and don't want to make them worse...