Tarnish fix for silver? (satin silver 186CC content)

[Doc]

Gulf coast humidity is tough on many things, including metal, paint, people, and silver, especially satin silver. I’ve been fighting tarnish on the 186 since I got it here, and, having owned a satin silver tuba previously, I knew I would have that problem. Polished silver was bit easier, however, it wasn’t maintenance-free like lacquer (Pledge and a microfiber cloth = no real maintenance).

I don’t want to be get in the habit of using tarnish remover all the time, so a separate solution was necessary. @bloke and I discussed having a tuba-sized “jewelry bag” made of anti-tarnish material. I pitched the idea to my wife, and she said, “Order the material.” So I bought 2 square yards of anti-tarnish material, she got a gold rope sort of thing for a drawstring and she put the bag together in short order. Perfect fit. If the tuba was any larger, it would require 3 square yards.

So today, I gave the Tuba a tarnished bath using JSP tarnish remover, washed it off, dried it off, and put it in the bag. I think it ought to do as well as jewelry that is kept in such bags. We’ll see...

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I am hoping this will work well. I know that many of us have polished,satin, or brushed silver tubas, and a number of us live in high humidity areas that wouldn’t mind having something that helps minimize tarnish. I’ll report how it works out.

[Doc]

Higher resolution pic:

https://imgur.com/gallery/RXaEvPX

[bloke]

I remember the former condition of that bottom bow (from when we recorded that silly blastissimo short excerpt from Polovetsian Dances) and how crushed in it formerly was...and that's the original bottom bow cap (repaired) as well.

The mouthpipe tube was also flopping in the breeze during that rehearsal/concert.

I showed the bottom of the tuba to the trumpets, and asked them if my tuba sounded flat.

That's a particularly great tuba...I'm glad you're enjoying it. Did that stuff knock of the tarnish quickly, and is it the same thing I have here (as my deoxidation liquid stinks of sulfur)...???

The dark lacquer on those nickel silver S-arms dates back to when the tuba was made (over a half century ago)...I just didn't want to put those T-joints either in stripper nor spray lacquer on them. The period-correct Deutsche Marks (reverse/eagle-size up) were ground down to 50% thickness, to minimize their additional weight.

I hope the bag slows down the oxidation. I don't know how much heat you're using during the S. Texas winter (likely, little-to-none), but gas heat tends to promote silver tarnishing.

[Doc]

We have used the gas heater maybe twice. We have run the air conditioner more than the heat. Sadly, we don’t get much of a winter, but we still get to save on electricity and gas.

The tuba really plays well and has a special sound. I think I have settled into it fairly well. I’m using it on a recording session this coming week, and I believe it will wow the quintet. As long as I don’t play like crap.

BTW, Christina loves the sound of this tuba more than all the others and is very glad you sold it to me. She says hello to you and Mrs. Bloke.

[bloke]

looking forward to your next visit...You don't need to bring a needs-fixin' tuba nor buy a tuba...but I wouldn't discourage that activity, either.

[Doc]

That's a particularly great tuba...I'm glad you're enjoying it. Did that stuff knock of the tarnish quickly, and is it the same thing I have here (as my deoxidation liquid stinks of sulfur)...???

I’m not sure this stuff is as strong as what you have, but it worked pretty well. When applied, it had a sulfur smell similar to Tarn-X.

[Doc]

looking forward to your next visit...You don't need to bring a needs-fixin' tuba nor buy a tuba...but I wouldn't discourage that activity, either.

Thanks. I won’t wait until I need something, but if I need something, I won’t wait.

[bort2.0]

That's one frosty mofo!

[Doc]

That's one frosty mofo!

Too cool for school!

It’s too cool for me, but I worked my freakin @$$ off to get it, so I don’t care.

[the elephant]

I have often wondered whether that anti-tarnish material works at all for unlacquered brass.

Does anyone know for certain from actual use?

[marccromme]

Nice work! Looks really great! Please remember to tell in future how good the anti tarnish cloth works ..

[marccromme]

I have often wondered whether that anti-tarnish material works at all for unlacquered brass.

Never tried silver anti tarnish on brass, but have tried warm water with citrus acid and a bit of dish soap, and that works well on brass.

[the elephant]

I mean to wrap a horn in - the cloth itself, not just the chemicals.

[jtm]

For a hard case, would making it a little more air-tight be helpful? Or is the hope that the new fabric will protect some against the time that the tuba is out of the case?

Slightly related: do any of the soft case makers intend for the case to be a vapor barrier and help resist tarnishing?

If Doc's trick works, maybe the Superfine bags can make that material an option for the inner bag lining.

[Doc]

For a hard case, would making it a little more air-tight be helpful? Or is the hope that the new fabric will protect some against the time that the tuba is out of the case?

I don’t know if airtight cases would work, with humidity being what it is here. Nothing is completely safe in a bag or case. Either way, I plan to leave the tuba in the bag when not in use.

Slightly related: do any of the soft case makers intend for the case to be a vapor barrier and help resist tarnishing?

Not that I’ve ever heard.

If Doc's trick works, maybe the Superfine bags can make that material an option for the inner bag lining.

This is genius! Pay the man! Gore-Tex for tubas.

[jtm]

I have a vested interest. My lovely BBb 186 (remarkably (or not) still for sale) is raw brass, but I like it shiny. It spends most of its time in a normal Miraphone bag, where it seems to be tarnishing at the same rate as the matching recording bell that's just sitting out in the open (indoors).

Also, I have a silver Conn sousaphone that's very grey except for the front of the bell, which I bothered to shine. If I go to the trouble to shine the rest of it, I'd like to know how to keep it that way.

[the elephant]

I have often wondered whether that anti-tarnish material works at all for unlacquered brass.

Does anyone know for certain from actual use?

I just ordered a 9"x12" drawstring bag made of a fabric impregnated with a cocktail that supposedly works on polished, unlacquered brass as well as silver and other nonferrous metals. (This is claimed by the jewelry repair supply place that manufactures and sells it.) I will buff some things up and degrease them, bag them, and set them on a shelf inside my house, which is normally (nine months of the year) cursed with a humidity level between 80% and 90%.

I will try first with the degreased metal. Some months later I will give that Rennaissance Paste Wax (used by museums) a try both in and out of the bag.

This should be of hyper-arcane interest to at least a few of us, here…



If it works I will see whether I can make a few of these "Bill Bags" for my horns. So much winning…

[bloke]

EPi sells some (industrial use) brass brightening products. I have not bought any.

I’m wondering if chromates are even allowed anymore.

[the elephant]

To what end? Do you intend to impregnate some cloth to make one of these bags for silver or brass?

My chromic acid dipping days are long past, just like basing with sodium cyanide. Nasty, scary stuff. We still used that caveman product my first year at Wright Music Co. I refused to use it, anyway. The old farts in the shop kept using it until the owner forbade it. He could not find an industrial waste company that would pick it up and dispose of it legally.

[bloke]

dual topics...
Both bags and oxidation-dissolving liquids are mentioned, here.

yeah...I'm not interested in revisiting any old shop's chromate bright dip.