De-lacquering

[WakinAZ]

I stripped the lacquer off an Old King Bell with aircraft brand stripper from a recommendation from the TNFJ

It was a messy time-consuming job, then again that Old King lacquer was probably ten times more potent than anything the Chinese are using.

The sound will only get brighter/ clearer with less stuff on the metal, but people hear what they see to a certain extent so who knows? Tuba player see and hear a cool old horn. Non tuba players see a non shiny horn

If you paint it silver it will sound great

[WakinAZ]

PS relacquering will help your resale, if/when.
Some are turned off by raw brass and stinky hands.