Cleaning a de-lacquered trombone

Post Reply
MrHCinDE
Posts: 715
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2018 11:00 am
Location: Ludwigsburg, Germany

Cleaning a de-lacquered trombone

Post by MrHCinDE »

I just got my first de-lacquered instrument and was thinking, what‘s the best way to clean without losing any of the character? I really like the look of it, just wanting to give it a good clean before playing.

Cold water and weak detergent in the bath?

FE3F3C9E-D9B7-4F9B-B9F6-4E758794FE9C.jpeg
88F0FE09-F24C-4FBE-A19A-0FD894767CB7.jpeg
DF5E0DAD-98BB-4E74-B59B-2D3F89BC1583.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
hyperbolica
Posts: 2790
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:31 am

Re: Cleaning a de-lacquered trombone

Post by hyperbolica »

Depends on the goal of the cleaning. I usually just wipe mine down with a cloth. Sometimes I clean the insides, and it goes in the shower or bath tub, with a snake or long brush where appropriate. If I want it to shine and get rid of the spots, I might use some polish paste.

If you're worried about the residue on the unfinished brass getting on your hands or clothes, then use a grip or wrap on the horn, or you could even use gloves or a cloth when holding it. I use microfiber cloths when I play my lacquered tuba to prevent the lacquer from eroding due to skin oil. I wrap the neck pipe or put leather grip guards on my unfinished trombones to keep my hands and neck from turning colors.
Elow
Posts: 1791
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:18 am

Re: Cleaning a de-lacquered trombone

Post by Elow »

A warm bath with dawn shouldn’t effect that nice patina.
tbonesullivan
Posts: 1460
Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:06 am
Location: New Jersey
Contact:

Re: Cleaning a de-lacquered trombone

Post by tbonesullivan »

Soap and water. Nothing else. You could maybe get some silicone furniture wax and rub a tiny bit alll over the outside. That will make it smell lemony fresh and can help prevent further oxidation.

I would not recommend doing that inside the bell however, unless you want mutes to fall out a lot.
David S. - daveyboy37 from TTF
Bach 39, LT36B, 42BOF & 42T, King 2103 / 3b, Kanstul 1570CR & 1588CR, Yamaha YBL-612 RII, YBL-822G & YBL-830, B&H Eb Tuba, Sterling 1056GHS Euphonium,
Livingston Symphony Orchestra NJ - Trombone
MrHCinDE
Posts: 715
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2018 11:00 am
Location: Ludwigsburg, Germany

Re: Cleaning a de-lacquered trombone

Post by MrHCinDE »

Thanks! I was mainly concerned about hygiene so for now have given it a bath with soap, run the snake through it and dried it off with a soft cloth. It's maybe a matter of taste but I actually quite like the appearance so will hold off polishing for now. I'm not too worried about residue but may end up getting a wrap or similar for the gooseneck. The silicone wax is an interesting one, I'll look into that.

Most importantly, after cleaning I've now had a chance to play it, first impressions are very good.
Post Reply

Return to “Maintenance”