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Excited to start on my 2nd faux painted fiberglass 36K Conn Sousaphone.
I have more invested in the mouthpiece than the horn. (gold original Conn Helleberg)

Much better And those added PVC ribs look nice, too
IMO, fiberglass sousas look much better with some type of 'metallic' spray-paint finish.

It's interesting to me how Conn didn't bother to add a large brace connecting the lower bell elbow to the upper branch on the 36k.

Thanks, Doc, I use Rustoleum spray paint. The hammered bronze, gold, silver, copper, black. Actually to create the brass patina you can even use a little brown in the mix. I usually have two can moving at once and a rag with mineral spirits to blend the colors. Faux painting with spray cans is tricky because it drys so fast. Raging some mineral spirits on also acts as an extender. Most of my work starts with a solid base coat just to get things covered nicely. Once you are happy with the body you then begin to mask off the parts you want to highlight and for shading. Easy release painters tape is good. Mask off a joint then back spray a little black for shading then blend with spirits.

Multiple colors emulate plating levels. a little copper looks like signs of a base plating process. Cool thing is you just keep working it till it looks really old. The black highlights really add the "this horn hasn't been polished in decades" look.

On a hot dry day, you can just about do the whole job. Once the paint gets too thick to cure, you just stop and come back the next day.

The paint is not really a durable surface so after the coats are totally cured a few coats of clear would be wise. To keep it looking old, use a matt or flat topcoat. My new old horn above (top picture) has been painted white several times before so I will use a real good bonding primer for the first coat. When using primers - go with a gray tone as it is easier to cover with color coats.

Don't worry about screwing things up... it only a sousaphone!

Tim Jackson
If a tuba dont look good, paint it!
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