The layer on a plated mouthpiece, for example. I have the tools to go the strictly mechanical/abrasive route - just wondering if there was any other methods. There's probably some acid that would do it, but probably the kind of thing that gets you reported to the goverment if you start asking around. Not to mention what it would probably do to the biteplate. So a follow up question... Now I've got a bare brass mouthpiece in my hands and want to add to the baffle with some form of metal. Is there a particular solder I could beef it up with to later work down? What kind of solder bonds well with brass? I could just open the tip, drop the table, then work with what's left (but that would be too easy). Generally this only works with mouthpieces that already have some baffle to it - even a slight baffle is generally good enough to do this. Dunno. Maybe I'm just looking to make my life more complicated than it needs to be. I've been getting some kicks lately with epoxy baffle mods. Just brainstorming I guess. I turned a Jupiter plastic 4C (alto) into a real screamer a few days ago. It was rather small chambered to begin with, which helps. Only one-eighth the cost of a Dukoff and just as mean sounding. I've got a few more cheapie mouthpieces I'm going to experiment with. Anyone interested in trying them out for curiosity's sake?