Cleaning an enamel sax

[Kingsleyhk]

I have a Selmer Series 80 in black with gold lacquer keys.

The black has become very dull - anyone got any suggestion on the best cleaning method? I'm reluctant to go at it with any sort of solvent in case of permanent damage - so I thought I'd ask first.

 

[Justin Chune]

Don't even think about solvent. I have one of the first of the Series 2 altos and it came with a black crook. I have always wished that the whole sax was in black lacquer. I would try car polish first. What you are describing sounds like traffic film on cars and it should come off easily. If not, then a light rub with an ammonia free metal polish and then the car polish. Brasso and traditional "T" Cut contain ammonia for example. "T" Cut have a suitable version.

I have some Meguiar's Carnauba Wax and polished a YAS 23 I've just bought with it. Nice.

Jim.

 

[Kingsleyhk]

Many thanks - I'll give it a shot.

 

[jbtsax]

Spray a light mist of Pledge Lemon Furniture Wax on a soft cloth and rub the affected areas. Then buff with a dry portion of the cloth. You can also do that on a smaller scale in between the keys using Q-Tips (cotton ear buds).

Unless you are prepared to remove all of the keys, using any type of paste wax or polish makes it very difficult to clean and remove the excess paste in hard to reach areas.

 

[Taz]

Stop. Do not use any form of car polish. Some are probably fine but others especially T cut have abrasive qualities hence the name "cut" Metal polishes tend to be the same. Try a good old fashioned furniture polish like Pledge or Mr Sheen (other brands are available) Use a nice soft duster and plenty of elbow grease.
Now put on your favorite cd and enjoy an intimate and relaxing session with your sax!

 

[jonf]

Stop. Do not use any form of car polish. Some are probably fine but others especially T cut have abrasive qualities hence the name "cut" Metal polishes tend to be the same. Try a good old fashioned furniture polish like Pledge or Mr Sheen (other brands are available) Use a nice soft duster and plenty of elbow grease.
Now put on your favorite cd and enjoy an intimate and relaxing session with your sax!

Absolutely bang on. T Cut on any sax would horrify me. It works by stripping away the outer layer of paint, so even on cars with thick paint it eventually makes the paint thin and prone to chipping if used too often. Brasso would be OK at a pinch on a bare brass sax, but nothing with lacquer, and it would ruin the pads and action if it gets in the wrong place.

 

[Justin Chune]

I've used Pledge with good results on my saxophones. However I have never had a sax go dull on me. Try out whichever product you choose on an out of sight area first. I worked in car refinishing all of my working life and my saxes have been polished with whatever I was using in the shop, with no ill effects.

A little goes a long way, so apply a small amount to a cloth and apply sparingly. Let us know how it goes.

Jim.

 

[Kingsleyhk]

Thanks all - I'll try Pledge first (easier to get in Hong Kong than car polish) and let you know.

 

[Kingsleyhk]

Just tried the Pledge - great result. Thanks to all who responded.

Sax also smell beautiful - except Orange not Lemon!

Just hope the band doesn't think it's my aftershave!