TromboneChat

Hi everyone,
I’d like to ask your thoughts or experiences on this:
• Does polishing a trombone bell with Brasso have any noticeable effect on the sound?
• And how often is it recommended to polish the bell (if at all)?

I’ve heard mixed opinions—some say it only affects the look, while others suggest it might subtly impact resonance. Would love to hear your insight!

It's not gonna do much. The folks who say, "Oh noes, it's abrasive!" have no idea what they're talking about. The amount of metal it's removing is microscopic. The real question is, why do you want to polish it? Just let it develop a patina. Looks good, and you don't have to waste a bunch of time polishing it.

brassmedic wrote: Tue Jul 15, 2025 1:37 am It's not gonna do much. The folks who say, "Oh noes, it's abrasive!" have no idea what they're talking about. The amount of metal it's removing is microscopic. The real question is, why do you want to polish it? Just let it develop a patina. Looks good, and you don't have to waste a bunch of time polishing it.

I agree!
My only problem with Brasso is it’s petroleum based. Wright’s is water based and removes easily. Also doesn’t smell as bad.

As I recall, when I was an undergraduate the guys in Army ROTC used to "polish" their brass uniform buttons with dilute sulfuric acid. The result was pretty stunning -- and it's non-petroleum! I've also seen it recommended to polish antique brass sword guards with vinegar, or a combination of vinegar and salt (sodium chloride). That works too and is nicely "organic" and "non-petroleum", but not quite as effective as the sulfuric acid.

But as with some others here, I prefer lacquered brass instruments, or bare brass with maybe a periodic wax (or similar) coating. Some people think highly of Renaissance Wax Polish.

I simply can't stand polishing instruments or the time it consumes (though I've made exceptions for flutes). Silver tubas are the worst!

Don't do it!

Many decades ago (as a Junior High School student), I "polished" the bell of my near-new Olds Ambassador with Brasso (or some sort of brass polish - it's been a long time). It ruined / removed the lacquer. My once-shiny trombone never looked as nice after that!

Driswood wrote: Tue Jul 15, 2025 5:50 am

brassmedic wrote: Tue Jul 15, 2025 1:37 am It's not gonna do much. The folks who say, "Oh noes, it's abrasive!" have no idea what they're talking about. The amount of metal it's removing is microscopic. The real question is, why do you want to polish it? Just let it develop a patina. Looks good, and you don't have to waste a bunch of time polishing it.

I agree!
My only problem with Brasso is it’s petroleum based. Wright’s is water based and removes easily. Also doesn’t smell as bad.

Wright's is fine.

Posaunus wrote: Tue Jul 15, 2025 5:02 pm Don't do it!

Many decades ago (as a Junior High School student), I "polished" the bell of my near-new Olds Ambassador with Brasso (or some sort of brass polish - it's been a long time). It ruined / removed the lacquer. My once-shiny trombone never looked as nice after that!

Oh, my! Yeah, you definitely don't want to polish lacquer with brass polish. I hope the OP is talking about an unlacquered bell.

Thanks for all suggestions.

Kobe100 wrote: Wed Jul 16, 2025 1:17 am Thanks for all suggestions.

Your bell is un-lacquered correct?

WGWTR180 wrote: Wed Jul 16, 2025 2:34 pm

Kobe100 wrote: Wed Jul 16, 2025 1:17 am Thanks for all suggestions.

Your bell is un-lacquered correct?

Yes, it is.

I can recommend not using Comet cleanser.

Kobe100 wrote: Mon Jul 14, 2025 4:49 pm Hi everyone,
I’d like to ask your thoughts or experiences on this:
• Does polishing a trombone bell with Brasso have any noticeable effect on the sound?
• And how often is it recommended to polish the bell (if at all)?

I’ve heard mixed opinions—some say it only affects the look, while others suggest it might subtly impact resonance. Would love to hear your insight!

Yeah, if you polish a lacquered bell with brasso it will affect the sound.

If you polish a raw bell with brasso it will just waste your time.

Anyone who claims they can tell a significant difference between lacquered, unlacquered or silver plate is listening with their eyes.

I recall a video of one of the techs at the Alexander horn factory in Germany, who says that a high profile player complained that they had ruined his horn by lacquering it, it played completely different now! In reality, it played differently because Alexander had done a deep clean of the instrument (inside and out) and it was absolutely filthy.

Maybe it makes a difference, but I'll never be good enough to notice.

I think there was a discussion about this recently.
Brasso contains ammonia, which should not be used on brass. Ammonia has a chemical reaction with brass I don't really understand but you can look it up. It weakens the metal somehow and causes stress fractures over time.