daystar297

Hi friends .... I'm just trying to glean some of your experience with cleaning a vintage cornet ... it's a silver horn from the 20's I think so I'm assuming the silver is over brass... I don't know how it will play, but it's got beautiful engraving and it's French ... so I couldn't pass it up ... I've cleaned some silver plated tarnished mouthpieces with success by placing them over tin foil in a warm salt bath... and they almost immediately begin to shine and lose the tarnish .... could I possibly do that with a brass cornet or will I be laughed off the forum for even thinking of trying that ... thanks in advance for any advice ...

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

tedh1951

Daystar297 to TM. The solution to your problem is to use the solution you have already discovered. Small problem great solution solution.

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Ted

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence." - George Washington

superbone_ali

I just picked up a '38 King Silver Tone silver cornet with gold trim over a sterling silver bell. It's in great shape but needs cleaned. Can anyone offer advice on cleaning the gold-washed portions of tarnish without doing damage? I'm new to this and would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

daystar297

Thanks for that .... then ...after the tarnish is somewhat removed, what's the best way to make the cornet shine? I think I've read that car wax is a good option...might that be another simple solution ....

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

ComeBackKid

As others said, the aluminum foil method will work fine. As far as shining it, a good quality car wax should do the job. Always remember to buff lightly. Silver is soft and won't last forever.

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Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (1956)
Olds Super (1951, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969)
Olds SuperStar (1971)
Olds Studio (1970)
Olds Special (1951, 1956, 1960, 1962)
Olds Ambassador (a few: 1953-1979)
Andreas Eastman (new)
(+Conn Director, King Cleveland, Holton Collegiate,
Blessing Accord, York, Yamaha, Getzen, Amati, Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar)

Murphy

Same problem..Silver York cornet...how warm is warm?..and how much salt?

gzent

Sure fire way to easily remove tarnish:

Makita 4 x 24 Inch Belt Sanders

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www.bethanybrass.com - Helping fellow trumpet players achieve musical excellence

daystar297

For mouthpieces I've been using boiling water and salt or baking soda with the tin foil .... is boiling water safe for the silver tarnished cornet or does this process also work with warm water?

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

tedh1951

Try this .....

Re: Need to clean horn
The Sodium Bi-Carbonate (called bi-carb soda, or sometimes just carb soda) trick is very good for cleaning tarnish off silverplated trumpets - general cleaning uses simple soapy water (good quality hand dishwashing liquid - not machine detergents, they are too harsh)

To one pint of hot water add 1 tablespoon of bi-carb soda and one teaspoon of non iodised cooking salt - stir until dissolved.

Place a large sheet of aluminium foil to cover the bottom of a plastic container, place your silverplated trumpet onto the foil and pour the solution over the trumpet until the trumpet is completely covered - obviously you will need to mix sufficient solution to do this based on the formula. The trumpet needs to touch the foil.

This is not suitable for lacquered instruments.

Leave the trumpet, sans valves, in the solution for 30 mins or so and check how the tarnish is coming off (this WILL NOT remove silverplate just the tarnish) - remove, rinse very thoroughly and polish as necessary.
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Ted

ComeBackKid

True. If you try it on lacquered instruments, it will remove the lacquer. But, if you are trying to remove spotty lacquer, it works ok. For lacquer removal, the hotter the water the better (boiling is best). For silver, I don't think the temperature matters much so lukewarm is fine.

__________________
Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (1956)
Olds Super (1951, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969)
Olds SuperStar (1971)
Olds Studio (1970)
Olds Special (1951, 1956, 1960, 1962)
Olds Ambassador (a few: 1953-1979)
Andreas Eastman (new)
(+Conn Director, King Cleveland, Holton Collegiate,
Blessing Accord, York, Yamaha, Getzen, Amati, Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar)