Rubbing compound on raw brass?

[Homerun]

Quick backstory:

I found a Craigslist steal on an olds ambassador trombone. Thin lacquer and spots all over, but no red rot and the slide works great. I stripped the lacquer this weekend, and I'm contemplating finishing options (satin, polished, etc.)

The stripping and polishing has shown a few flaws in the metal itself. Particularly, scratches in the tuning slide and outer slide from 50 years of wear and tear. I'd like to smooth everything out before I finish the horn, and get rid of the scratches and tarnish spots that have developed. I used a couple of different polishes and even a small buffing attachment to my electric drill with jeweler's rouge to attempt to get rid of said scratches and tarnish spots. It helped very little.

My question: have any of you ever used rubbing compound on a raw brass horn? Can I expect to smooth the scratches out by using it, and then polishing afterwards?

(Yes, I know it's a tuba forum. Tuba is my trade, trombone a hobby, and I know several of you have refurbished horns)

[Untersatz]

Running compound

[Homerun]

Thanks for that. If you hadn't have noticed that auto-correct error, no one would have ever known what I was talking about.

[MartyNeilan]

Rubbing compound is very abrasive. You could always try polishing compound first and see how that does.

[Homerun]

Thanks Joe...I've been experimenting with some "satin" techniques found here and on other forums with an old beater trumpet, just to see if it's a viable option to do at home. So far, no dice.

I might experiment with waxing the polished brass periodically instead of trying to rattle-can lacquer, but I'm sure I'll get tired of re-applying and re-polishing.

[Lee Stofer]

I would not use rubbing compound, as it will never shine - it is too abrasive. As Joe mentioned, you don't need to get rid of every scratch, just polish it up and enjoy it. I have found that "Mother's" Mag Wheel & Aluminum polish does a very nice job on brass, cleans up easily, and seems to have at least a little of a tarnish-inhibitor characteristic about it. Best of all, it is available at auto parts stores, motorcycle shops, and even the local Wal-Mart.

[Homerun]

Thanks, Lee. I have been experimenting on the old trumpet with everything I have in my shop, and it looks like the scratches shall remain. Cool old horn anyways.