TromboneChat

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?

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

Matt K wrote: ↑Sat Oct 07, 2023 10:42 am 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

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

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

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….

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

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.