Steel wool

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sirisobhakya
Posts: 445
Joined: Jun 11, 2018

by sirisobhakya » (edited 2023-10-07 12:42 p.m.)

A friend, who has been played trombone for around 5-6 years already, messaged me asking whether he can use steel wool to clean the horn. I answered no, thinking he just asked for a laugh. I was horrified when he said “It’s too late. I have done it.”

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I don’t know what he was high on when he did that. The horn is Yamaha YSL-882UII (JDM 2nd gen Xeno) that can fetch quite a good price in second-hand market here in Thailand. It hurts my soul even the horn is not mine…

Anyway, any way to turn it into brushed finish? :lol:
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Matt_K
Posts: 4809
Joined: Mar 21, 2018

by Matt_K »

Steel wool is one way that people give it a satin finish. Normally it’s best to practice on some junked bells first though :lol:
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sirisobhakya
Posts: 445
Joined: Jun 11, 2018

by sirisobhakya »

[quote="Matt K"]Steel wool is one way that people give it a satin finish. Normally it’s best to practice on some junked bells first though :lol:[/quote]

I have a thought of trying it on my cheap Chinese horn as well :lol:
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

He just needs to keep going. It's not done yet
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Elow
Posts: 1924
Joined: Mar 02, 2020

by Elow »

I would finish that up with something like the green scotchbrite pads instead of steel wool… also need to strip lacquer before.
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atopper333
Posts: 377
Joined: Mar 09, 2022

by atopper333 »

I’d definitely second the lacquer strip…also…what grade of steel wool is he using…he may need to step it down to #0000 grade….
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DougHulme
Posts: 558
Joined: Apr 27, 2018

by DougHulme »

Yep realy fine wire wool, then brass polish and make it shine like it is laquered. Much better than trying to get a satin finish - he will never get satin looking right... Doug
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tbonesullivan
Posts: 1959
Joined: Jul 02, 2019

by tbonesullivan »

Usually I would recommend a scotch brite pad over steel wool, which can leave particles embedded in the brass. Also chemical strippers are a lot easier to work with in some ways. Using the steel wool to strip the lacquer can mess with the bell thickness if not done carefully.