Print PDF
Favorite
Email
I have had an old Yamaha Saxophone for over thirteen years. It was bought a bit rough to begin with, and after years of use and abuse, it was time to give this reliable instrument some love. I have a munchkin who has been learning to play, so I figured this would make a wonderful gift.
This instructable will show you how to do a chemical oxidation on brass, bronze, or any copper alloy for that matter.
Why do it?
In this case the chemical oxidation (sometimes called patina, redox, or distressing; depending on the application) serves two purposes: Give the sax a unique vibrant look and protect the brass from further erosion. The color I was going for was a charcoal gray to black. I believe I was successful!
Materials
What you will need:
-Saxophone (or whatever brass/copper/metal you wish to use)
-Small Flat head Screwdriver
-Small Philips Screwdriver
-Masking tape
-Fine grit sandpaper (400+)
-Ferric Nitrate
-Sodium Thiosulfate
-Multipurpose household cleaning agent
-Disposable gloves
-Plastic Tub
-Water
-Cardboard
-Black marker
-Disposable coffee cup
-Disposable spoons
-Rust-Oleum Clear Lacquer
Optional, but it will make your life a heck of a lot easier:
-sandblaster
NOTE: if you don't have a sandblaster, you can make one with
-2' tube
-air compressor
-accessory kit
-baking soda
Total cost for materials (not including the sax, compressor, compressor parts and stuff I already had): A little over $80 bucks
This instructable will show you how to do a chemical oxidation on brass, bronze, or any copper alloy for that matter.
Why do it?
In this case the chemical oxidation (sometimes called patina, redox, or distressing; depending on the application) serves two purposes: Give the sax a unique vibrant look and protect the brass from further erosion. The color I was going for was a charcoal gray to black. I believe I was successful!
Materials
What you will need:
-Saxophone (or whatever brass/copper/metal you wish to use)
-Small Flat head Screwdriver
-Small Philips Screwdriver
-Masking tape
-Fine grit sandpaper (400+)
-Ferric Nitrate
-Sodium Thiosulfate
-Multipurpose household cleaning agent
-Disposable gloves
-Plastic Tub
-Water
-Cardboard
-Black marker
-Disposable coffee cup
-Disposable spoons
-Rust-Oleum Clear Lacquer
Optional, but it will make your life a heck of a lot easier:
-sandblaster
NOTE: if you don't have a sandblaster, you can make one with
-2' tube
-air compressor
-accessory kit
-baking soda
Total cost for materials (not including the sax, compressor, compressor parts and stuff I already had): A little over $80 bucks
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1Step 1
Disassemble the saxophone. Be careful to write down and keep track of everything you take off, especially the screws.
I used masking tape and a black marker to hold and label everything. I didn't lose anything, so I must have done something right!
I used masking tape and a black marker to hold and label everything. I didn't lose anything, so I must have done something right!
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
In my opinion the trombone will be easier since it has no keys or valves. If you have a bass trombone then be careful around the trigger.
The euphonium, I would pull the valves out and either leave those alone or do it by hand. I believe the valves are not brass, but I may be wrong.
On either, you should have similar results. The metals are brass which is what the processes is intended for. Please share if you do it!!!!
One final note, I am still trying to figure out what I am going to dip the trombone in. The tub is large, but not large enough to submerge at once. Perhaps the flipping method I used will work??
Very nice instructable and an interesting project. Many years ago I paid $50 for an old bari and had it all cleaned up and fixed. Chemical dip and all. Looked like new when it was done. Still plays like an old low tone horn. ;-)
Your bari, they did a chemical dip? Where?! Typically what I found, at least in my area, most places will sand and polish the brass, then lacquer with what ever type of lacquer they bake on horns. It comes out looking beautifully, like a brand new horn!
My issue with that was, when they sand to remove all the scratches they thin out the brass, which in turn changes the tone/pitch of the horn. Plus getting it sent is expensive and I am cheap! haha!
Oh some places will also electroplate, say silver, on to the horn. Neat stuff!
I would love to see pictures of your bari, could you share? :)
I will have to see about taking some pictures of it. I had the work done on it close to 20 years ago now. It doesn't look as good these days but till in great shape. It has the used look about it. As it should. I have gotten some good mileage out of it.
Now it seem I may have the opportunity to gig in the EU later in the year. I need to get a newer case for it. Both horn and case are pushing 90 and the case isn't doing well enough to make that kind of trip.
I hate to admit this, but my alto had carvings that I did in 6th grade (I was 11, so cut me some slack!).
At any rate, most scratches and said carving was only on the lacquer. Once I removed the lacquer tada! Mistake gone!
Thanks, good work!
I did include pictures of each color change on step 4!
Thanks again!