Brass Sensitone

[mykl8180]

I recently purchased a used Brass Sensitone snare. I just got the snare in the mail today. I was anxiously awaiting it's arrival so I tore right into to box. To my dismay there are several large spot of tarnish along the outside of the shell. There are also many smaller spots which are barely visible on the shell and even some small spots on the hoops. I have never owned a brass snare before so`I have no idea how to remove the tarish spots safely. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Gene Okamoto]

Brass tarnishes and because of this, brass instruments are sprayed with a protective coating of clear lacquer...SensiTone brass snare drums included. If the shell is tarnishing, this is an indication that something corrosive ate through the protective lacquer layer. You can spot-clean this area with a metal polish such as Nevr-Dull or Simichrome http://www.rufkahrs.com/hardw4/chem1.html. If the tarnishing spreads, you'll probably have to completely strip off the lacquer coating, polish the drum and have it recoated. A shop that repairs brass instruments should be able to do this.