I've been in a predicament finding an alternative to my 'tried and true' outer slide cleaner/polisher (Wright's Brass Polish not available anymore). Yesterday I watched a trombone cleaning video from SE Shires and their tech team uses Klean Strip Lacquer Thinner (organic version) for outer slides. A quick search showed that it's available at the Home Depot so I'm excited to pick some up.
I'd be interested to hear results from other forum members who currently use this stuff (or possibly effective alternatives).
Re: Outer slide cleaning - Klean Strip results??
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2023 5:40 am
by LeoInFL
Here is the portion of the video I mentioned:
Re: Outer slide cleaning - Klean Strip results??
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2023 6:18 am
by ithinknot
Those things are both relevant, but they aren't equivalent.
Goddard's is similar to Wright's if you want a substitute brass polish. Polishing is an abrasive process.
For your purposes, lacquer thinner is a solvent which will dissolve lubricant buildup (...or lacquer). It will have no effect on surface oxidation or calcium deposits.
In the video, they're using the lacquer thinner to remove buffing compound from the manufacturing process. The binders in those compounds are oils/fats for which the thinner is a good solvent.
Along with chemical descaling, these are all different tools for different jobs.
Re: Outer slide cleaning - Klean Strip results??
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2023 6:25 am
by LeoInFL
ithinknot wrote: ↑Sat Nov 04, 2023 6:18 am
Those things are both relevant, but they aren't equivalent.
Goddard's is similar to Wright's if you want a substitute brass polish. Polishing is an abrasive process.
For your purposes, lacquer thinner is a solvent which will dissolve lubricant buildup (...or lacquer). It will have no effect on surface oxidation or calcium deposits.
In the video, they're using the lacquer thinner to remove buffing compound from the manufacturing process. The binders in those compounds are oils/fats for which the thinner is a good solvent.
Along with chemical descaling, these are all different tools for different jobs.
Should I search for Goddard's Brass Polish? Metal Polish? Is Goddard's water soluable (that what I appreciated most about Wright's)?
Thanks for the info!
Re: Outer slide cleaning - Klean Strip results??
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2023 6:53 am
by ithinknot
LeoInFL wrote: ↑Sat Nov 04, 2023 6:25 am
Is Goddard's water soluable
Hopes is another good, non-amonia, water soluble brass polish.
Re: Outer slide cleaning - Klean Strip results??
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:54 am
by ithinknot
hornbuilder wrote: ↑Sat Nov 04, 2023 8:50 am
Hopes is another good, non-amonia, water soluble brass polish.
Yup, Wright's and Goddard's are both something like 3.5% ammonia. I see from the Hope's ingredients list that they're using 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol instead... my understanding is that this is corrosive to brass in much the same way as ammonia. The residence time is low and it's always being thoroughly flushed in this application, so I don't think it's a huge issue either way.