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How to Paint brass instruments

I have come across two old trombones which have little to no lacquer left on the horn. I was thinking if there is any way to get that lacquer off without destroying the horn & are there any options on painting over the bare brass?

Chris Long
musical instrument restorer - Santa Clara, California, USA
2004

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A. They are easy to paint. Tape up any joints with a very good masking tape so that the joints can move again. Sand everything lightly to get rid of any shine with 220 sandpaper. Prime with an etching primer (not normal primer). Rustoleum sells one that is good. You need to have an etching primer, it'll use phosphoric acid (in the primer) to bind zinc oxide to the metal and the primer (also in the primer) will stick to that. Let dry. Paint to your hearts content.

31605

You can see some of what I have done if you find the Lofty Pursuits marching band on Facebook.

Gregory Cohen
- Tallahassee, Florida, USA
April 14, 2012

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