Antique Finish

[jbtsax]

I have finally completed my first attempt at refinishing a saxophone with an antique finish. My guinea pig was a Martin Tenor that I had been asked to overhaul for a local college. I asked the sax teacher if she would like it to be refinished at no extra charge, and she agreed. The original lacquer was about 60% gone to begin with. The old lacquer was removed and then the body and keys were given a scratch brush finish. Then the parts were immersed into a patina solution for about 3 minutes. After rinsing and drying, the parts were then highlighted by hand with a maroon scotch pad. The final step was to coat the parts with Renaissance Wax which turned the color to a more slightly golden color.

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

Really like the result John, looks very authentic, I like how you have scuffed around the tone holes with the Scotch pad. So was the sax completely disassembled when you did it? guess it must have...

 

[Jeanette]

Looks good

Jx

 

[Colin the Bear]

Not my cup of tea but good job.

 

[griff136]

Very nice work John.

 

[TimboSax]

Looks great, good going

 

[kevgermany]

Nicely done. Not for me, but it looks really professional and much bette than the scruffy part lacquered look.

 

[ProfJames]

That is "right up my street". It looks great. So you are doing this sort of work for nothing? Please PM your address.....

 

[Jamesmac]

I suspect it even looks better in the flesh.

 

[Di in France]

I really like it, great job!

 

[gladsaxisme]

Looks great to me what is the solution you use to achieve the finish,I guess you must need a large container of it together a whole tenor in I was surprised when you said it only takes a few minutes...... john

 

[Sue]

Looks great - I love an antique finish

 

[jbtsax]

Looks great to me what is the solution you use to achieve the finish,I guess you must need a large container of it together a whole tenor in I was surprised when you said it only takes a few minutes...... john

There is a company in the U.S. called EPI which provides many different chemical solutions to antique brass and other metals. I bought 5 gallons of one of their solutions and made a 15 % solution in a 22 gallon plastic container. You can get any finish you want from them from light brown to black. I got a sample of their blue/green patina chemical but it doesn't work very well on brass. There is probably not enough copper in the brass for it to be effective. Darn. I was hoping to produce the world's first turquoise saxophone (with silver keys). :shocked:

 

[ProfJames]

I shall place the first order now! Turquoise with silver keys brilliant! With a matching strap, jacket and flared trousers!!

 

[Colin the Bear]

Mmmm! Black sounds interesting.

 

[gladsaxisme]

There is a company in the U.S. called EPI which provides many different chemical solutions to antique brass and other metals. I bought 5 gallons of one of their solutions and made a 15 % solution in a 22 gallon plastic container. You can get any finish you want from them from light brown to black. I got a sample of their blue/green patina chemical but it doesn't work very well on brass. There is probably not enough copper in the brass for it to be effective. Darn. I was hoping to produce the world's first turquoise saxophone (with silver keys). :shocked:

I like your style....John

 

[gladsaxisme]

Looks great - I love an antique finish

You would like me then I have a permanent antique finish.....John

 

[arock]

Very nice. Don't be afraid to step out of the box.
I think player first want a good playing horn, then being different is interesting. Why look like everyone else.
My last project came to me with an incredible patina. I usually polish my horns. But this was something that mother nature spent 80 years to achieve. I can always polish it later, but for now, I have coated the patina to protect it. A final coat of Renaissance Wax and a buff. Not everyone will like it. But someone might love it. If not. I will destroy a work of art from mother nature.

 

[sushidushi]

That looks lovely!

 

[sushidushi]

Going back to jbtsax's earlier comments, blue saxophones with silver keys are available on eBay. Very reasonably priced professional models with a free electronic tuner, I recall.