Polishing Nickel Trim

[PhilipEdCarlson]

My 50's Super needs the nickel trim polished.

How can I get it shiny?

The most important spot for me is the tone band. I'd like that nice and shiny against the beautiful (to me anyway) bell patina. Also, the braces on Supers are really cool. I think this has a nickel slide and neck pipe too but those are dark and dull. The rim of the bell has some green corrosion that bleeds onto the tone ring in one spot.

If all that nice was shiny with the mottled bell, I think it'd even sound better!

[Neo Bri]

If you use the "Full Editor & Preview" button instead of the "Quick Reply" dialog, you can then drag and drop the pictures directly into the text box and they'll show up. Like this.

[PhilipEdCarlson]

Apparently my phone pics are too high a resolution to post.

[TriJim]

I finally had my Olds Super buffed and re-lacquered to get back to that clean and shiny appearance; and now use Music Nomad's Lacquer Polish to keep it shiny. However, I don't think this will work on bare metal. Coincidentally, I didn't notice any change in the sound/tone (good or bad).

Good luck and let us know what works and/or what you decide.

[BGuttman]

You will probably find that Nevr-Dull wadding will work to polish things up. I also used to use a multi-metal polish called Noxon (not to be confused with a fine player who used to frequent The Trombone Forum -- hope he finds this place).

[PhilipEdCarlson]

Thanks to both of you!
Will check in hardware/auto stores for Never-Dull and Noxone7.

Plan to first work on the tone ring. Lacquer worst there and that's the only place with the green corrosion. What I'm anticipating is that the lacquer will be removed and the nickel (and the brass on the rim) will clean up and be bright. If that goes well ill move on to other nickel parts and maybe the tuning slide (can't remember if that's nickel or brass, either way). The only reason I don't want to touch the bell is because I like the patina.

[Neo Bri]

If your goal is to remove the lacquer, you could just boil the bell.

[PhilipEdCarlson]

The goal is to shine up the nickel (tone band, braces, slide) and LEAVE the Main Bell alone, as it is.

Didn't get to the store yet.

[PhilipEdCarlson]

The goal is to shine up the nickel (tone band, braces, slide) and LEAVE the Main Bell alone, as it is.

Thinking more about the lacquer... would this goal be best served by removing the lacquer first?

Maybe I shouldn't worry about preserving the bell lacquer. I was thinking removing the lacquer would destroy the bell patina, but a long as I don't polish it, but only polish the nickel...

[BGuttman]

Where you have tarnish or oxidation, there probably is no lacquer.

If you are careful you should be able to polish just the Kranz and nickel trim without making much difference in the brass.

[Neo Bri]

And maybe you could tape over the brass with something flexible, like electrical tape.

[PhilipEdCarlson]

20180407_212624.jpg

Went to town on the tuning slide with the Never-Dull. Figured I'd test it out there before working on the beloved tone-ring. It's got some work left, but it started out a mess. The tuning slide was the leading end on my roof for a road trip from SLC to Delaware and back two years ago. Got soaked in the rain. Didn't dry the case when I got home. After sitting on the tuning slide, I just vacuumed the mold or of that end of the case. Then I looked at the tag for the first time since buying the horn on eBay 4 years ago.

20180407_210420.jpg

Should I stop scrubbing it and think about it a bit more?

[PhilipEdCarlson]

JohnL pointed out to check the serial numbers. They don't match. Guess I'll get back to polishing!

[BGuttman]

Note that Nevr Dull (or any other polish) will not replace lost plating. If the discoloration is due to the nickel being worn off it won't look nice and shiny after you work it over with the polish.

But it will make the nickel that is there nice and shiny. Also does nicely on brass (if you become so inclined).

Sorry it's not a George Roberts instrument (he didn't usually play a tenor anyway). But it should be a great player.

[PhilipEdCarlson]

Note that Nevr Dull (or any other polish) will not replace lost plating. If the discoloration is due to the nickel being worn off it won't look nice and shiny after you work it over with the polish.

I don't know WHAT I was thinking!
I didn't even think of it as plating. The tone-ring isn't 'worn' but the neck pipe and handslide stays are. For some reason i was thinking as if they were solid nickel. Of course it's not going to shine up like I was expecting.
Thanks...

[PhilipEdCarlson]

Shined up nicely!
Thanks for the guidance!

Thinking when I'm done (working on the slide next) I'll wax the bare parts. Is that a good idea?

I'll get that Music Nomads polish that TriJim suggested for the lacquered bits and other horns.

[Neo Bri]

I know Bruce is a waxer. At least I think.

[Bonearzt]

The Kranz and tuning slide parts on that horn are solid nickel-silver and not plated, so there's no worry about buffing of the nickel.

Also, plain furniture polish works as well for cleaning off the lacquered parts, you don't want to try to "polish" the lacquer as you will cut through to the surface underneath.

Eric

[PhilipEdCarlson]

20180328_191111.jpg

The Kranz and tuning slide parts on that horn are solid nickel-silver and not plated, so there's no worry about buffing of the nickel.
Eric

Last night I took off the lacquer from the slide. The outer tubes and bow must be solid too, right? I just used a hot bath and scotch-brite pad. I'll likely go over the slide with the Never-Dull tomorrow, then wax the whole thing! I was hoping to get the braces shiny, but I guess I'll just have to live with clean, as much of the plating has worn off.

[Bonearzt]

20180328_191111.jpg

The Kranz and tuning slide parts on that horn are solid nickel-silver and not plated, so there's no worry about buffing of the nickel.
Eric

Last night I took off the lacquer from the slide. The outer tubes and bow must be solid too, right? I just used a hot bath and scotch-brite pad. I'll likely go over the slide with the Never-Dull tomorrow, then wax the whole thing! I was hoping to get the braces shiny, but I guess I'll just have to live with clean, as much of the plating has worn off.

Correct, they are all solid nickel. If you want a shiny surface, I would avoid the scotch-brite pad. Any lacquer left after the hot bath can be removed with Easy-Off oven cleaner.

Yes, with brass, you have two choices; a shiny horn with lacquer, or a raw brass horn with the mottled patina. Unless you spend lots of time polishing the surface with a rag & car polish...

[Neo Bri]

Looks like it shined up nicely. Those are beautiful horns.

[PhilipEdCarlson]

Looks like it shined up nicely. Those are beautiful horns.

If you're still going down to the Bourbon House tonight, Sarah is planning to meet me there with it after work! It's not quite finished, but it'd be great to get your firsthand opinion. Especially hoping for your opinion on sending the slide out for some work.

[Neo Bri]

Possibly - I'll let you know.

For some reason, I have the impression that they're front-heavy horns. I haven't played one in a really long time, though, so I could be wrong. A lot of people really like them, and they shure are purdy.