Chem Clean
have this horn.... that hasn't been played in 30 years. The amount of gerkus inside the tubes is quite incredible It's somewhat hard in places and needs some help for removal. What are the current chemicals most used to clean a nickel-plated instrument, and what is the mix rate?
Reply #1 - Dec 3rd, 2011
I currently use a product from Tesch Chemical Co of Apleton WI called Classic Brass. It is rather pricey. But it makes enough to dip whole instruments and lasts a long time.
Before I learned of the above chemical, I used to use a Manual Acid solution. If you go to your local agricultural supply store, they should have Manual Acid which is used for cleaning dairy equipment. Dilute it according to use for dairy. This is also a dip.
Dip for about 15 minutes. You can leave it longer on non-lacquered instruments, but for horns that have lacquer that is already wearing out and loose, it will loosen it further.
Also at the farm store, you can get muriatic acid. This stuff is aggressive, and you will probably want to use latex gloves and maybe a mask. You would only want to put these inside tubes. And you do not want it to contact aluminum. I don't dilute it and pour it in for a few seconds. It will bubble while it is working.
And of course, finish up with soap and water and tube brushes