Thank you for clarifying your own personal level of expertise on this subject.
I think I'll continue to use these products in the ways that I've adopted over
the years based on my own successful experience.
Good sense should tell you that if you're polishing something, you're trying to
remove unwanted surface. Commonly, cleaners will contain a chemical that
reacts with the oxidized surface, combined with a mild polishing compound. The
polishing compound in Flitz or Simichrome is so fine that it will do a nice job
polishing plastic eyeglasses.
Non abrasive cleaners should be avoided unless you have specific knowledge of
what the effects of the included chemicals are. For example, a chemical
cleaner for copper or silver may be safe with those materials, but instrument
materials are usually complicated alloys. If the chemical is aggressive to a
component of the alloy, serious damage can be done. It's not uncommon for a
residual reaction product to be left behind that eats away at the metal. You
may find your horn, a few months later, with irreparable 'red rot'.
In general, Hand polishing with any of these products is not going to remove
much good metal, even over many years. If you want your horn to shine like a
lacquered instrument, get it lacquered. Removing finger prints and hand slime
is generally more important than the cleaner you use. When using any cleaner,
whether abrasive or chemical, know what it leaves behind and how to clean it
up. An 'anti tarnish' coating left behind on the valves can be a real problem.
One of the advantages to Brasso, for the amateur, is that, if you don't flush
the horn enough, you'll feel it in the rotors when you do re assembly.
Learning to do your own maintenance is important and fun. There are many
acceptable methods. Develop a method you are comfortable with, especially
cleaning up residuals, and stick to it. Keep the materials you use on hand,
and don't experiment. Unless you use a consistent method, you won't be able to
assess the results.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jared Disbro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: horn@music.memphis.edu
Sent: Tue, 6 Dec 2005 15:55:02 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Hornlist] simichrome or flitz
Hi,
Brasso, simichrome, and flitz are all too abrasive
and take off more metal than Wright's. I've been told
this by the man that does all the work on my horn, and
made me one, and happens to be my teacher, Mr. Richard
Seraphinoff. This would make sense, because we all
want the least abrasive things for our horns, right?
I mean, if you want a horn to last as long as
possible.
Best,
Jared Disbro
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