Longtime reader, first time poster. Just looking for a simple answer.
I play a Keilwerth EX-90 II alto saxophone. I'm in love with the horn itself, though from what I understand it is considered a semi-pro horn. The horn plays spectacularly, however I'm not infatuated with its aesthetic (almost yellow-green finish, presumably nickel plated underneath based on its heritage). I've wanted to delacquer or at least matte this for years but as a student on a relatively tight budget, DIY-ing this task would be my preference.
I read somewhere on the forum that gently using steel wool on a sax can matte the finish, and that a 3M abrasive pad could produce the same result without the steel wool residue posing a threat. I tried this first on my spare student alto (Vito) and it worked miraculously well, creating a marvelous texture and an ultra-thin layer of oxidation thereby self-limiting the reaction. I have also since done the same to the head joint of the EX-90, with even better results sans oxidation. Keep in mind this does not seem to be taking off any of the lacquer but simply reducing the shine and producing a very nice matte texture.
My sax professor has some sort of vendetta against unlacquered saxophones, and though I trust his judgement in most cases, he has supplied no information on my question thus far apart from an advisory against doing this.
My questions are as follows; does this process have any adverse effects, should I continue on the remainder of the horn, is there anything I should do in addition to / after the abrasive pad to protect the horn?
Thanks very much in advance.
Pictures (could not attach for some reason
http://i.imgur.com/Ox6QYeQ.jpg - full head joint
http://i.imgur.com/hOzSu86.jpg - close up of texture
I play a Keilwerth EX-90 II alto saxophone. I'm in love with the horn itself, though from what I understand it is considered a semi-pro horn. The horn plays spectacularly, however I'm not infatuated with its aesthetic (almost yellow-green finish, presumably nickel plated underneath based on its heritage). I've wanted to delacquer or at least matte this for years but as a student on a relatively tight budget, DIY-ing this task would be my preference.
I read somewhere on the forum that gently using steel wool on a sax can matte the finish, and that a 3M abrasive pad could produce the same result without the steel wool residue posing a threat. I tried this first on my spare student alto (Vito) and it worked miraculously well, creating a marvelous texture and an ultra-thin layer of oxidation thereby self-limiting the reaction. I have also since done the same to the head joint of the EX-90, with even better results sans oxidation. Keep in mind this does not seem to be taking off any of the lacquer but simply reducing the shine and producing a very nice matte texture.
My sax professor has some sort of vendetta against unlacquered saxophones, and though I trust his judgement in most cases, he has supplied no information on my question thus far apart from an advisory against doing this.
My questions are as follows; does this process have any adverse effects, should I continue on the remainder of the horn, is there anything I should do in addition to / after the abrasive pad to protect the horn?
Thanks very much in advance.
Pictures (could not attach for some reason
http://i.imgur.com/Ox6QYeQ.jpg - full head joint
http://i.imgur.com/hOzSu86.jpg - close up of texture