Steel wool

[sirisobhakya]

A friend, who has been played trombone for around 5-6 years already, messaged me asking whether he can use steel wool to clean the horn. I answered no, thinking he just asked for a laugh. I was horrified when he said “It’s too late. I have done it.”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17L23r4 ... p=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11reuUf ... p=drivesdk

I don’t know what he was high on when he did that. The horn is Yamaha YSL-882UII (JDM 2nd gen Xeno) that can fetch quite a good price in second-hand market here in Thailand. It hurts my soul even the horn is not mine…

Anyway, any way to turn it into brushed finish?

[Matt K]

Steel wool is one way that people give it a satin finish. Normally it’s best to practice on some junked bells first though

[sirisobhakya]

Steel wool is one way that people give it a satin finish. Normally it’s best to practice on some junked bells first though

I have a thought of trying it on my cheap Chinese horn as well

[harrisonreed]

He just needs to keep going. It's not done yet

[Elow]

I would finish that up with something like the green scotchbrite pads instead of steel wool… also need to strip lacquer before.

[atopper333]

I’d definitely second the lacquer strip…also…what grade of steel wool is he using…he may need to step it down to #0000 grade….

[DougHulme]

Yep realy fine wire wool, then brass polish and make it shine like it is laquered. Much better than trying to get a satin finish - he will never get satin looking right... Doug

[tbonesullivan]

Usually I would recommend a scotch brite pad over steel wool, which can leave particles embedded in the brass. Also chemical strippers are a lot easier to work with in some ways. Using the steel wool to strip the lacquer can mess with the bell thickness if not done carefully.