Ames Horn ID
 

I noticed some rust bubbles inside the horn bell and decided to deal with it before it got much worse. That lead to stripping the paint off of the exposed components and then giving them a soak in Evapo-rust followed by some wire brushing. This revealed the Ames ID markings on several of the pieces. I thought the following photos might be of interest.

I found the most severe rust on the external face of the diaphragm. After the Evapo-rust soak, I polished this with some light emery cloth rather than using the wire brush, as others have suggested. However, the surface is pitted and I'm wondering whether to reuse this or install a replacement? If I were to reuse it, would a light coat of grease retard further rust or should it be painted? I see that the replacements are painted.

Thanks - Bill

Re: Ames Horn ID
 

I would reuse the diaphram and give it a light coat of primer. I've used some self etch primer that goes on very thin.

Re: Ames Horn ID
 

I haven't found a repro diaphragm yet that sounds right.

Re: Ames Horn ID
 

Thanks Tom. I picked up a can of self-etch primer and will have a go with it.

Bill

Re: Ames Horn ID
 

You can get a slightly better sound from the repop diaphram by bead blasting them. This will distort it slightly when you blast one side, then will flatten back out when you blast the other. This work hardens it some and gives a less tinny sound. But still has some and I think this has alot to do with the fact they are cut from laminated steel. My Ames horn has the same markings. Rod