[mattman007]

A customer brought his grandpa's 1928 "Cigar cutter" alto in today for restoration.
The horn was in an attic fire standing up in the case. about 6" of the case on the neck end burned completely away. the lacquer is sooty brow to black from around the top of the left stack to the receiver. the worst parts by the receiver look like creosote inside a stove pipe. Have any of you worked on a similar situation or have any pearls of wisdom as to how to proceed restoring the aesthetics as well as possible short of a relaquer? Thanks as always for sharing your advice.

 

[maddenma]

Sounds like a nice candidate for a bare brass update (de-lacquer).

 

[abadcliche]

Interesting scenario. If you don't want to delacqer the whole horn, your options are limited to things that will leave it obvious that something occurred. If the lacquer is totally toasted, some super fine steel wool will remove the burnt part. Then hand-polish (don't buff unless you want the good lacquer gone too) with tripoli if needed and then red rouge and then just polish cloth, and you'll be left with whatever lacquer wasn't completely ruined along with some shiny bare brass. The bare brass should darken over time, and while it will be obvious that it went through a fire, it should have the look that says "I've got character".

I'll be interested to hear what other folks recommend. Also, take some before and after photos and share with the group!

 

[Stephen Howard]

I reckon Matt's nailed it - removed the burnt lacquer, clean and polish and leave it be...as a reminder of how lucky the horn was to escape a fire with just a bit of singed lacquer.

I'd check the state of the solder in the affected area in case it's been cooked, particularly around the crook tenon/socket area.

If you wanted to refinish the horn you'd have to do the lot...but if it was my horn I think I'd be tempted to check out the possibility of having someone paint some flames on the top section, a la hot rod.

Regards,

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

I'm not into deliberate bare brass. It may work for some climates and atmospheres, but in some situations, without the protection of lacquer, it can also lead to a lot of unwanted corrosion.

I think I would be inclined to put some masking tape around the body at the top of the intact lacquer. Then remove all the lacquer above that. Then buff, de-grease, and re-spray the area above with a can. And accept that there may be a slight change in shade of lacquer at that line that was masked with tape.

How obvious would depend on whether the original lacquer was tinted, and whether any attempt was made to match any tinting.

 

[whaler]

I'm not into deliberate bare brass. It may work for some climates and atmospheres, but in some situations, without the protection of lacquer, it can also lead to a lot of unwanted corrosion.

I've had "bare brass" horns and mouthpieces for years and never had any problems with corrosion. The beautiful (IMO) patina that develops on old Selmers is still the finish new makers of un-lacquered horns or "faux patina" horns like the Mauriats try to duplicate.