TubeNet

We all appreciate a well persevered shiny tuba. The old silver ones tend to tarnish over time and thus need a silver polish treatment from time to time. We also all and spots on our favorite axe that have or likely will have wear in the finish because that is where our hand usually is when we play the horn. Has anyone ever considered or used Renaissance Wax on a Tuba?

Someone suggested that to me on here a while back, because my horn was throwing off so much tarnish and it was getting on everything it touched. It's pretty expensive, but it does work.

I have used Renaissance wax on raw brass and it worked well slowing tarnish so only once a year polishing was necessary. I cannot see why would not work the same for silver plating

Plain old automotive wax works well, too. ... as long as it doesn't contain any abrasives. I use Turtle Wax on my raw brass horns. It doesn't make them shine but does allow the brass to develop a nice even patina.

I have found that renaissance wax is VERY good at keeping silver plated and sterling silver military artifacts from oxidizing. That's pretty much what it was designed to do, and it's also good for keeping high end Japanese edged weapons oxidation free while on display.

I should add that there are some silver polishes, such as the 3M with "tarnishield" that use silicone to help seal the silver and keep it from oxidizing.

Vinegar Vapors are supposed to "age" brass, as will salt-water. They are also relatively mild chemicals. The problem is getting a good color and coverage, and then maintaining it.

Soaking raw brass in a bathtub full of a strong solution of Simple Green will provide a very nice even patina.

Check on it every half hour to an hour until you achieve the patina you desire.

joh_tuba wrote:Soaking raw brass in a bathtub full of a strong solution of Simple Green will provide a very nice even patina.

Check on it every half hour to an hour until you achieve the patina you desire.

Ahh! I forgot about this! Yes! Simple green is a detergent, which makes water much "wetter", which increases the rate at which it oxidizes metal.

.

Try two gallons in a bathtub of water. Hot water will patina faster. Brush and wipe down the horn thoroughly to make sure the surface is completely 'degreased' then just wait. It's not an instant process but I would imagine most people would be happy with the results in under eight hours. Different horns will react shower or faster so you'll just have to check it every so often.

Deleted

Simple green comes in the common green and a purple. The purple is less harsh and works well on a variety of metals where the green is not good for anything but steel (aka if you use it, rinse thoroughly).

I have been using renaissance wax on both silver and raw metal horns with good results. I have had no issues with a waxy feel or any coming off on my cloths. I use car wax on my lacquered horns with good results.

Years ago, I tried Renaissance Wax on a (then) raw brass tuba to stop/slow down tarnish. It really didn't do much for me as I still got fingerprints that would tarnish the tuba, even after using the wax.
So I quit using it and just cleaned and spray-lacquered the horn. IMO, raw brass looks ugly unless you either constantly keep it polished, or help it develop a nice even patina. Raw brass also makes my hands smell like I've been holding coins all day, and makes it difficult to wash my hands completely clean.
For me --> lacquered brass or silverplated brass.

I think Renaissance Wax was intended for brass/metal objects in a museum that are "look only, do not touch".