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Preventing tarnish
Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 11:16 am
by Kdanielsen
Well, I did what I vowed to never do again: I bought another silver plated euph.
Any tips for reducing tarnish? Is there some chemical solution I can impregnate the inside of the gig bag with? Should I keep it in the case or out? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Re: Preventing tarnish
Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 11:30 am
by AtomicClock
Well, my experience is that after being in the case for years, almost no tarnhish developed. But after being left out of the case for a few days, lots of tarnish. I suspect Yamaha put something in the lining.
Re: Preventing tarnish
Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 1:34 pm
by ghmerrill
I think the generic advice on this is to use one or another form of Haggerty's Silversmith Polish. It contains a tarnish preventative. Most of the people on Dave Werden's forum (
https://www.dwerden.com/forum/forum.php) seem to use it on their silver instruments. I tried just about everything and use it on my 100 year old tuba, and it's been the best for me. For in between touchups I use a silver polishing cloth (I think Selmer?). But I wouldn't have another silver instrument.
Re: Preventing tarnish
Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2023 1:52 pm
by ithinknot
Anti-tarnish strips work if you replace them on schedule.
I leave a few in my Mouthpiece Cases of Shame, and they seem to do the trick. The pieces on my shelf tarnish much more rapidly, what with all the brimstone nowadays
Re: Preventing tarnish
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2024 9:31 am
by heldenbone
A quick wipe-down with SimpleCoat seals porous metals and stone like copper, silver, bronze, and granite. It has worked marvelously to preserve some trumpet leadpipes that were just beginning to de-zinc. Clean and wipe down (in and out for a leadpipe) stopped the deterioration and tarnish entirely.
Re: Preventing tarnish
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 5:58 pm
by sungfw
Got two words for you: Pacific Silvercloth. (You can get it at just about any fabric store.)
I made a silvercloth bag for my euph when I bought it in 2008 and kept my euph in it for the first couple of years. I stopped putting it in the bag in late 2010/early 2011 and simply keep it in the case and lay my horn on it when I put it away. (I close the top of the case but do not zip it unless I'm taking it to a gig.) It's been at least 10 years since I've had to polish it, which is saying something since I have a gas furnace, gas hot water heater, gas stove, and gas fireplace. (My silverplated mouthpieces, however, which are stored in a desk drawer, all have interesting patinas.)
Re: Preventing tarnish
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2024 6:59 pm
by Kdanielsen
sungfw wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2024 5:58 pm
Got two words for you: Pacific Silvercloth. (You can get it at just about any fabric store.)
I made a silvercloth bag for my euph when I bought it in 2008 and kept my euph in it for the first couple of years. I stopped putting it in the bag in late 2010/early 2011 and simply keep it in the case and lay my horn on it when I put it away. (I close the top of the case but do not zip it unless I'm taking it to a gig.) It's been at least 10 years since I've had to polish it, which is saying something since I have a gas furnace, gas hot water heater, gas stove, and gas fireplace. (My silverplated mouthpieces, however, which are stored in a desk drawer, all have interesting patinas.)
I bought that a little while ago! Haven’t turned it into a sack yet. Glad to know im on the right track!!