Hans asks: >>Question:
Does lacquering add more to the worse, if the excess solder is removed by aggressive chemicals ? I understood also, that if this excess solder is removed by aggressive chemicals, these must be neutralized extremely well. Some makers believe, that imperfect degreasing before lacquering promotes redrot in some ways. Is this true ? I personally found out, that silver & gold plating factory new instruments, including the extremely careful process of degreasing before the plating, does something for the durability (more precious metal and its anti corrosive effect ...). I also feel, that it does something positive regarding playing qualities, perhaps just as a placebo effect, as one will try playing better keeping a nicer looking & more precious instrument in his or her hands (no gender ranking intended !). This is rather empiric not scientific, my personal experience playing silver & gold plated instruments since years.>>> Hi Hans - the preparation for lacquering is the exact same preparation as for plating. Thus there shouldn't be any differences between the horn which has been plated and the one which has been lacquered. Once the horn has been buffed, it must be degreased. If any flux from the soldering (or perhaps any other 'chemicals') is left it will present itself in a myriad of ways - most of which are harmless. It is easy to find a new horn with what we call 'acid bleed'. This is flux that seeped out after the horn was lacquered, and is discoloring the horn beneath the lacquer. Typically this will just leave a dark spot, and perhaps the lacquer in that area will flake off. Infact, an instrument that is being plated has to undergo a few other chemical baths (silver plating solution) - but I do now know if these are caustic enough to encourage dezincification. The redrot that I was discussing is a byproduct of leaving the brass in an 'active' state - susceptible to redrot. (redrum??). "Just Put Your Lips Together And Blow...." http://www.poperepair.com US Dealer: Kuhn Horns & Bonna Cases Pope Instrument Repair 80 Wenham Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 617-522-0532 _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
