Spots on bell

[Gameboy64]

Hey all,

My friend just got a used trombone off of a buddy from his school! It's a Shires custom model, and he's super excited to finally have it.

However, he just sent me a picture of the bell, and asked me what the "little circle" spots were. I wasn't sure if it's a problem with the lacquer or not, but he said he tried wiping them with a rag, and nothing came off.

Is there anything he could do to remove them?

Thanks!

IMG_5749.jpg

[Burgerbob]

Looks like a bad lacquer job

[Gameboy64]

Looks like a bad lacquer job

Anything you think he could do? Obviously getting the bell overhauled would do it, but I’m sure that would cost quite a bit.

[Burgerbob]

Other than stripping it, no

[JohnL]

Just leave it that way and tell people it's a special acoustic treatment.

[BGuttman]

The spots near the bell rim are called Acid Bleed and are the result of soldering flux (which is an acid) bleeding out under the lacquer and oxidizing the brass. It usually shows up quickly (within a few months) and rarely grows from there. I have a very old Shires bell that has acid bleed that hasn't changed in 20 years.

Fixing it is more trouble than it's worth. The bell has to be stripped, the remaining flux soaked out, and relacquered. Definitely not a DIY job, and not even within the purview of many techs. Figure several hundred dollars to get this done.

[tbonesullivan]

Has it been cleaned with soap and water recently? That looks almost like something oily got sprayed on it

[hornbuilder]

I don't see any acid bleed on the rim. The one spot looks like a shadow, IMO.

Re all the other spots, try using a non ammonia based glass cleaner and a soft rag. (Micro fiber is best)

Please report back.

[brassmedic]

I had a Shires once where it looked like the lacquer had oxidized. Cloudy appearance with flecks, similar to that.

[Gameboy64]

I don't see any acid bleed on the rim. The one spot looks like a shadow, IMO.

Re all the other spots, try using a non ammonia based glass cleaner and a soft rag. (Micro fiber is best)

Please report back.

He said that it made the overall appearance better, but the circles were still there :/

[hornbuilder]

He said that it made the overall appearance better, but the circles were still there :/

He didn't mention using any sort of cleaning agent in the OP. A dry rag "may" remove "some" of the deposit, but sometimes a solvent of some kind is required to fully remove whatever is on the surface (assuming it is on the surface)