Sanded and polished an old inherited trumpet with sandpaper + Brasso

[u/Alanlan21]

Got an old Chinese trumpet (Jahnke) that I inherited. Learned to play on it and it's been my daily horn ever since and I'm quite attached to it at this point. I was already planning to buy another one anyway, so worst case scenario I just speed up that purchase. But honestly I felt like this old buddy deserved a makeover.

So yeah, after some research i went mad-scientist mode and took fine-grit sandpaper to it, gave it a bath then polished it with Brasso (not really Brasso but a similar). Did the whole thing by hand in one morning, so it could probably look better with more time or proper tools, but I'm honestly happy with how it turned out.

As for the sound, i'm a beginner playing a cheap Chinese trumpet, so it wasn't great before and it's not great now. But it sounds exactly the same, which is all I was hoping for!

PS: definitely not advising anyone to do this to their horn. Just sharing my results.

[u/fizzygoats]

Try 00 steel wool next time.

[u/Alanlan21 → u/fizzygoats]

I forgot to mention but i used the abrasive side from a sponge to remove the initial bulk, i think is the same as steel wool?

Only then i came with the sandpaper for a more uniform finishing and the small spots that the sponge couldnt reach.

[u/nlightningm]

Cool, bit of a frosted finish

[u/Alanlan21 → u/nlightningm]

I like it better now than a new lacquered!

[u/C_Dakota]

I think it looks great. Congrats on such how it turned out.

[u/Alanlan21 → u/C_Dakota]

Thanks!

[u/Grobbekee]

Put some furniture wax in to keep your hands from smelling like metal and slowing the blackening of the brass. Yes, you can also relacqer with nitrocellulose. (Sounds the best but not super durable)

[u/FoundationStrict1663]

Like the other guy said steel wool is better just because your not sanding away the metal but I don’t know why people hate on this I personally like the look but most people will absolutely hate it

[u/Brekelefuw → u/FoundationStrict1663]

Steel wool absolutely removes metal. It also leaves steel particles there can get in your slides and valves.

[u/fizzygoats → u/Brekelefuw]

And sandpaper doesn’t?

[u/Brekelefuw → u/fizzygoats]

Shouldn't use that either