What could have caused this?

Post Reply
Amconk
Posts: 233
Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:30 am
Location: 97524

What could have caused this?

Post by Amconk »

My Holton has this one short section on the F-trigger tubing that the lacquer is severely discolored and darkened. It’s a bit splotchy. It almost looks burned, but as far as I can tell, there’s been no solder work near that spot, and it doesn’t have the typical texture of burned lacquer, it’s still shiny and smooth. Acid bleed of some kind? Part of me is tempted to buff the lacquer off of that spot and just shine it occasionally, or shoot a little spray lacquer over it once it’s cleaned. The other part of me just thinks leave it alone.

What do you think?
5F84321A-EB25-4640-A2BB-6A7EA8376320.jpeg
BC367692-B876-4BED-89AE-4C5240DADF2A.jpeg
489D26DA-60B0-4629-880F-B89C59C57196.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Michael Conkey
Southern Oregon Trombonist

-Besson Be944 Sovereign with Hagmann
-Holton TR-140 “monster” valve
-Modified Schiller 7B clone
-King 4B with custom bell
-Jin Bao Alto
User avatar
Neo Bri
Posts: 1313
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2018 10:30 am
Location: Netherwhere
Contact:

Re: What could have caused this?

Post by Neo Bri »

Could it be some material from a case or something having a reaction?
User avatar
Burgerbob
Posts: 4528
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2018 8:10 pm
Location: LA
Contact:

Re: What could have caused this?

Post by Burgerbob »

I swear I've seen on a horn before, but apparently not on anything I own at the moment.
Aidan Ritchie, LA area player and teacher
MStarke
Posts: 501
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2019 4:33 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

Re: What could have caused this?

Post by MStarke »

My Conn 112h has some spots that look a bit like that.
No idea where it's coming from, but I don't think it has any impact.

I took the lacquer of the tuning slides and polished them which made most of it disappear.
Markus Starke
https://www.mst-studio-mouthpieces.com/

Alto: Conn 35h, Kanstul, Weril
Tenor: 3x Conn 6h, Blessing medium, Elkhart 88H, modern 88HT, Greenhoe Conn 88HT, Kruspe, Heckel, Piering replica
Bass: Conn 112h, Greenhoe, Conn 60h
JCBone
Posts: 373
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 1:12 pm

Re: What could have caused this?

Post by JCBone »

I have this all around the rim of my bach 42. I always thought it was acid bleed.
Crazy4Tbone86
Posts: 1353
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2020 10:52 am

Re: What could have caused this?

Post by Crazy4Tbone86 »

It is caused by two things: 1. Pinholes or cracks in the lacquer. Sulfides and other contaminates in the air (usually slightly acidic) get under the lacquer and react/discolor the metal. 2. Improper cleaning/degreasing of the metal before lacquering. Essentially, the surface had some moisture or something on it that was (again) slightly acidic and it got trapped under the lacquer.....a form of acid bleed.

It can be buffed and touch-up lacquer can be applied. As long as it is cleaned/degreased, the touch-up lacquer should hold for at least a couple years, especially on a place that gets very little contact with your hands.

The question is....how pretty do you want your horn to look? If it bothers you, get it buffed and covered up with touch-up lacquer. Even with touch-up lacquer, you will see a color difference (the touch-up area will be a lighter yellow than the aged lacquer)....but it definitely will not be as pronounced as it is now.
Brian D. Hinkley - Player, Teacher, Technician and Trombone Enthusiast
Amconk
Posts: 233
Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:30 am
Location: 97524

Re: What could have caused this?

Post by Amconk »

I’m honestly fine with it, as long as the metal isn’t compromised underneath.
Michael Conkey
Southern Oregon Trombonist

-Besson Be944 Sovereign with Hagmann
-Holton TR-140 “monster” valve
-Modified Schiller 7B clone
-King 4B with custom bell
-Jin Bao Alto
Post Reply

Return to “Maintenance”