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How to Laquer Brass Instruments

Instruments come in a variety of materials that allow them to sound a particular way. One of these materials is brass, which is a softer, gold-colored metal. This metal is commonly used to make wind instruments such as trumpets, French horns, tubas, and the like. Maintaining this type of metal is fairly simple. One maintenance option is to lacquer the surface of the instrument to protect it from tarnish and other damage. This is something that can be done by almost any brass instrument owner.

Things You'll Need

Clean, soft cloths
Water
Horizontal rack or pole
Wire hanger
Drop cloth
Well-ventilated area
Brass laquer

Instructions

- 1
  Wipe the surface of the brass instrument with a damp cloth. Remove any dirt, scuffs and other marks from the surface of the instrument.
- 2
  Dry the surface of the brass instrument thoroughly. Polish the surface so that it is consistently smooth and shiny. A completely clean and dry surface allows for a better application and bond between the lacquer and the brass.
- 3
  Hang the brass instrument in a well-ventilated area so that there is minimal contact between the instrument and anything else other than the hangar. Unwind a metal hanger. Twist one end of the hanger around a horizontal rack or elevated poll. Twist the remaining end around a part of the instrument. This suspends the instrument in the air and allow for easier coverage when spraying the lacquer.
- 4
  Lay a drop cloth under the hanging instrument to catch any fallen lacquer.
- 5
  Spray a thin, even coat of lacquer over the entire surface of the instrument. Hold the lacquer bottle approximately 18 to 24 inches away from the instrument, and use slow, back-and-forth strokes to apply the lacquer.
- 6
  Allow the lacquer to dry thoroughly. This time varies depending on the brand of lacquer and thickness of the applied layer. Check the manufacturer's instructions to confirm a recommended amount of drying time. Dry lacquer is not tacky to the touch.
- 7
  Repeat the application and drying process for each layer that you wish to apply to the instrument.

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