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Anyone know how to get a factory refurbish done on a vintage selmer? (1933 Super Sax).
Also, will it dramatically change the sound of the horn?
Also, will it dramatically change the sound of the horn?
I'm no expert, but I suspect gold plate. To plate gold on Brass the instrument first must be plated with silver, then the gold on top of that. The areas where it's "blackening" is where the the Gold plate is gone or thin enough for air to permeate into the the silver, making it tarnish. Polishing with something like Haggerty's Silversmith Polish will bring the *exposed* silver to a shine, but won't bring back the gold look, rather it will remove a bit, and it may not unblacken the silver tarnishing under a thin film of gold plate.selmer1933 said:Thanks for the clarification - I guess what I meant was a re-laquer, re-pad, re-cork,....
I bought this horn form the original owner almost 30 years ago and have been enjoying it since. As you see in the pics, it's starting to blacken in certain areas. I don't believe the orig owner ever had the horn re-laquered, but I can't be sure.
I was less concerned about re-sale value (no plans to sell), but more about aesthetics, and a good thorough overhaul - after all these years of pleasure I've gotten from this old baby - she deserves it!
With respect, I'm suspicious of the stuff you mention. An agent suitable for polishing the steel and chrome of motorcycle parts will be far to abbrasive and course to polish silver or gold plate as it'll eat it right off. I'm also curious if there's any lines or grain on the horn's you've treated. If so, then I'd say it's too rough for brass as well.olhonker said:Here's a great and very cheap way to make your old Selmer look almost new. I have a1930 New Largebore, the pre Cigar Cutter. I got it very badly discolored? So I used SIMICHROME POLISH, Polishing Paste, made in Germany by a company named Happich, and distributed in US by Competition Chemicals, of IowaFalls, Iowa, 50126. I have used this stuff for over 50 years to shine motorcycle alloy parts, I see it in many bike shops. Anyway, I used this stuff on my Selmer and with a "lot" of elbow grease and good polishinbg cloths, have made the bell and base area look like shiny gold, the brass is beautiful, I can't see any laquer being taken off" maybe they didn't laquer them back then? but the discoloration was removed and the horn is shiny and clean, it hasn't dulled in many months. Worth a shot, but expect to rub hard, use the stuff generously , it looks just like toothpaste and same type tube. Good luck to all, Bruce B.
Then don't dishonor her with a relacquer! If you do, then do LOTS of research and make sure you can find someone that will do the job without buffing the horn to :evil: and back.selmer1933 said:after all these years of pleasure I've gotten from this old baby - she deserves it!
I disagree. Semichrome or Flitz is extremely mild and polishes those surfaces very nicely. I also have used those products on my aluminum (note:alloy)motorcycle parts. We use them daily in our shop on all types of finishes and have never done damage using them in over 30 years of use.JfW said:With respect, I'm suspicious of the stuff you mention. An agent suitable for polishing the steel and chrome of motorcycle parts will be far to abbrasive and course to polish silver or gold plate as it'll eat it right off. I'm also curious if there's any lines or grain on the horn's you've treated. If so, then I'd say it's too rough for brass as well.