This horn came with my 'new' Edison Standard - original?

[berntd]

They were originally painted with Black Japan which had a gloss finish to match the bedplate.
Did you sand the horn or use phosphoric acid to remove the rust?
Looks great!

Thanks Shane.


When you say black japan, is that shellac based?

I think I will use a rust inhibiting zinc phosphate primer to start with.

Amazingly, there was not a single shred of any original finish on this horn. Gone!

I did a quick sanding to loosen the rust and then I used phosphosric acid. I kept replenishing the acid and used a wire brush to keep agitating it until the rust was gone. It took about 3 hours.

The painting challenge will be the inside, where one can't get to.



Regards
Bernt

[gramophoneshane]

Well it was certainly worth the effort. Phosphoric is magical stuff
Black Japan was shellac based (or at least spirit based like shellac), but I don't know if it's modern equivalent is or not. I've never bought a tin because it's pretty expensive. If I remember correctly, both Feast Watson & Wattyl cost around $35 for a 1 litre can.
I just used a cheap lacquer spray paint from Supercheap on my 14" horns, but it's best to use an undercoat of the same brand with this stuff, otherwise it chips really easy.

[fmblizz]

If there is any pitting at all from the rust you should use a body glaze or heavy primer on the horn. Use multiple coat, to fill in the voids. Be sure to wet sand between coats for a perfect finish. Auto body shops use these products to eliminate small inperfections all the time.

Stick with the same name brand primer and finish coat. Personally I like to spray multiple finish coats and then when throughly dry, buff it with 4/O steel wool to knock the shine off. After that I use polishing compound on the metal followed by a few coats of past wax...

It really gives the impression of a nice patina instead of a repaint.

Sounds like a lot of work but for small horns it won't take much effort and you'll be happy with the results.

blizz