Removing Varnish From a Saxophone
The saxophone is played in marching bands, jazz combos and rock 'n' roll acts. Patented by Adolphe Sax in 1846, the first saxophone was a large bass sax, made and played by the inventor for its first public demonstration in 1844. To protect their brass surface, saxophones are coated with lacquer, which acts as a varnish for the finish. Removing the old lacquer is a primary step in saxophone refinishing, and with a little time, care and effort, it can be removed at home
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Saxophone Varnish
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Although some saxophones are plated with silver or nickel to protect the instrument's brass, the norm is a protective, sprayed, high-gloss brass lacquer. Brass lacquers come in a variety of finish types, including clear and matte finishes, as well as colored finishes. The lacquer finish protects the brass from tarnishing (oxidation), and can last up to 20 years, depending on the amount of weathering and moisture the saxophone is regularly exposed to.
Saxophone Refinishing
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Musicians debate whether refinishing alters a saxophone's sound and whether older saxophones should be refinished, removing the patina developed over years of use. The saxophone varnish protects the brass, and when this lacquer degrades and wears off over time, the instrument becomes vulnerable to pitting and corrosion that does alter the saxophone's sound. Lacquer applied to saxophones does alter their sound, but only slightly; it all depends on how much varnish is applied. According to Sax Forte, lacquered instruments have a slightly warmer sound than those that are plated.
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Varnish Removal
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A number of products and methods are available to remove lacquer from saxophones. Baltimore Brass Works recommends common paint remover or lacquer thinner, while Refinishing.com adds Brasso products, acetone and fine steel wool to the list. All of these products are available at your local hardware store and home improvement centers. Take caution when deciding on what to use, as acetone, lacquer thinner and paint remover are caustic, requiring proper ventilation. As saxophones are fairly intricate, it takes time to remove the lacquer, increasing the time spent working with these potentially harmful products.
Varnish Removal Methods
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All brass parts on a saxophone are varnished, requiring the valves and levers to be treated as well. This is the time-consuming part of the task. You may consider using different methods, such as Brasso, or steel wool on the saxophone's main body, and acetone or paint remover on the tedious parts, as they work faster. When removing varnish, do not worry about pits and other brass issues, because it can affect the sound of the saxophone adversely. Also, when removing lacquer from the valves, be careful not to harm the saxophone's pads.
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