daystar297

Every time I've seen this solution mentioned it says that you should place the horn in a plastic tub or bathtub .... I have a stainless steel deep kitchen sink ... is there any reason not to do this in that kind of sink?

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I just got a gig playing 3rd trumpet in a duet ....

tedh1951

What you are trying to do is create electrolysis ie a cathode and an anode - the trumpet being one (I forget which) and the al foil being the other.
The "salt" solution is the electrolyte which completes the electrical circuit, provides the electron flow and encourages the tarnish to transfer from the trumpet to the foil.

If you introduce other conductors (stainless steel sink - iron + nickel + chromium), you change the properties of the circuit and everything will be less efficient - I don't know the relationship between silver trumpets and stainless steel sinks in terms of electrical activity - but the potential difference between silverplate and aluminium is high (efficient) AND WE KNOW IT WORKS.

Get a plastic bowl or put everything in a large plastic bag (that works too) if you want to use your sink - just leave the stainless out of the circuit.

I think!

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Ted

dizzyizzy

Oh...do it the LOVING way...by hand, with a VERY GOOD silver polish...MAAS or Flits. They clean the tarnish and put a bit of a protective coat on....and/or carnuba "car" wax...GENTLY buffed.

Prior to removing the tarnish...a nice bath in warm water with a bit of dish detergent in it, then rinse copiously...might as well clean the inside first...probably needs it.

tedh1951

Oh Yes - you could wear away the very thin coating of silver by abrading it away with a polish - but only if you want to eventually ruin the protection.

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Ted

kcmt01

I recently bought a Holton 48 that had been stored in an attic since the late '50s. It is silver plated. The slides are all frozen. The tarnish was a very dark black. After soaking for almost a week now, the tarnish is mostly gray, with some dark gray. I was afraid to use silver polish, for fear the black went deeper than the silver plate! I will let you know how things turn out. One thing I have discovered, is that it takes a LOT of aluminum foil to absorb this much sulfur. I will include pictures of my progress. Any horn that has been neglected for 50 years is going to need some patience to come back unharmed.

veery715

Tarn-X works using the same principle as the aluminum/sodium/warm water method. It might shorten the job on the old Holton. Tarn-X won't polish though.

Gold doesn't tarnish, so after using the reverse electrolytic process on the horn with gold and silver, the gold should buff out with a fine microfiber cloth - this will shine the freshly cleaned silver too. A very small amount of Maas goes a long way too.

v

RHSbigbluemarchingband

I know this is a bit late, but the bell of my strad is starting to get, what seems to be water marks and i've tried washing it off with warm water, but it won't come off, so im going to do a big cleaning. With the aluminum/sodium bicarbonate, two things, one if you use too much sodium bicarbonate, or mess up the ratio will it damage the horn? and b where can you pick up sodium bicarbonate (or is it some common household item im just not remembering)?

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?1975 Bb Beuscher Aristocrat
1970 Bb Bach Strad 37
Bb Dynasty Marching Trumpet 010-M503
Beuscher 7c MP
Bach 3c MP

daystar297

Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda .... not really sure about the quantity though ...

__________________
I just got a gig playing 3rd trumpet in a duet ....

RHSbigbluemarchingband

Thats what I was thinking it might be, im so worried about trying this aluminum foil/sodium bicarbonate thing, my horn is so precious to me, but it needs this.........I just don't wanna mess it up, and ruin my horn's finish

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?1975 Bb Beuscher Aristocrat
1970 Bb Bach Strad 37
Bb Dynasty Marching Trumpet 010-M503
Beuscher 7c MP
Bach 3c MP

tedh1951

OH COME-ON BOYS AND GIRLS GET OFF YOU BUM'S AND DO SOME RESEARCH - IT'S PRETTY EASY . Ooops - I'm shouting

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Ted