Stripping a 2145

Repair and modification discussion
Post Reply
Aglenntuba
bugler
bugler
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:08 pm
Location: North Texas

Stripping a 2145

Post by Aglenntuba »

Hello all. I have a Meinl Weston 2145 with pretty spotty lacquer (probably around 75% coverage) and I'm thinking of stripping it down. Any tips for doing this efficiently and safely? Any big reasons not to? I have a raw brass trombone already, I love the look and the smell never bothered me. Thanks in advance!
User avatar
tylerferris1213
3 valves
3 valves
Posts: 485
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:53 pm
Location: NW Ohio

Re: Stripping a 2145

Post by tylerferris1213 »

I have a couple raw brass horns, and I use clear fingernail polish (lacquer) on the parts my hand is constantly in contact with to avoid "green hand." Personally, I like the patina look, but I've never gone out of my way to get it.
Tyler Ferris
Wessex British F
York Monster Eb
Getzen CB-50 CC
Cerveny CBB-601 BBb
"Yamayork" Frankentuba Contrabass FF
Aglenntuba
bugler
bugler
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:08 pm
Location: North Texas

Re: Stripping a 2145

Post by Aglenntuba »

Good reads! Should have searched the main forum too. I wonder how necessary it is to use hot water? I was planning on doing it outside and don't have a connection for that.
PMeuph
5 valves
5 valves
Posts: 1382
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:36 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Stripping a 2145

Post by PMeuph »

Hot water makes it much easier.

Buy a rubber* garden hose and connect it to your hot water heater. There's a valve on the bottom that would be used.

Proceed with care as you'll no control over the temperature (ie. not cold water to mix in with) And the water will most likely be around 150 F. (140 is minimum here, 160 upper end)

*Rubber, not vinyl.
Yamaha YEP-642s
Boosey & Hawkes 19" Bell Imperial EEb
User avatar
Big Francis
bugler
bugler
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:47 am
Location: Lonsdale, MN

Re: Stripping a 2145

Post by Big Francis »

I did this to my early 1990s 2145. It had the baked-on lacquer that i had to use a lacquer stripper to take it off. Nasty stuff. If you have to use the stripper, make sure you're in a well ventilated room and wear proper gloves.

Frank
Aglenntuba
bugler
bugler
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:08 pm
Location: North Texas

Re: Stripping a 2145

Post by Aglenntuba »

Alright, I'm finally moving forwards on this. My last question will be, is there any way to do this without scratching the brass up? Both threads linked here ended with a satin finish, which looks great but I'd like to avoid it if I can. If I just blast the stripper off with hot water, will it get everything off? I'd like to polish the whole horn after I strip it. Thanks again guys!
Aglenntuba
bugler
bugler
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:08 pm
Location: North Texas

Re: Stripping a 2145

Post by Aglenntuba »

Thanks for the advice! We've got a high of 82 tomorrow so I think that'll be perfect. I'll probably do a full disassembly to make sure no moving parts are affected.
And yup- no high hopes about sound or response here. I just think that "all dark and rustic" beats "crappy shiny parts with crappy brown parts". Sure, "all shiny" would be fine, but I don't think I could get it either 1. polished up nor 2. lacquered up to a point I would be happy with. And having it professionally done is a little out of the budget right now :tuba:
Post Reply