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I'm getting ready to paint my Conn 22K body gloss black to use in my Latin band. I have a brass 20K bell to use on it to make it a "hybrid". I'm having the back of the bell black lacquered to match the fiberglass body and the inside brass buffed and relacquered clear for a good two tone black and gold look.

I've removed the valve section and have taped the brass parts off. I've already got my paint (Rust-Oleum marine grade gloss black with an automotive clear coat. Bought a cheap spray gun from harbor freight. Trying to do this the right way! My question is, should I strip the current paint off of the fiberglass body? (Someone re-spray painted it white as I can see the blotches of spray paint.) Or should I just sand it and spray it? Or strip and sand away all the pebble finish to a smooth finish? Any advice and tips would be appreciated.

Stripper will just make a huge mess of the original VERY THICK white finish. I've done it and it ain't worth the trouble. Just sand it smooth and shoot it with a couple of very light light coats of color coat.

Ok I will try that. One of the fiberglass branches is loose at one of the braces. Is there a specific kind of glue or epoxy that I need to use to fix it? I bought some JB Weld steel reinforced epoxy to use.

goodgigs wrote:I used to sell automotive finishes.
Consult Rust-Oleum for compatability.
I believe they should have three compatible products:
Primer, paint (base coat), and clear coat.
To do it properly all three must be from the same manufacturer and
must be approved for the purpose intended.
It is likely that you'll need two different primers AND
It is very likely that you can't paint over lacquer at all.
Sorry, Glasurit, BASF Limco, and PPG all expressly forbid the mixing of products !

Ok thank you. I won't be painting any of the metal though, only fiberglass. The metal bell is getting sprayed with a black lacquer finish professionally.

TUbajohn20J wrote:Ok I will try that. One of the fiberglass branches is loose at one of the braces. Is there a specific kind of glue or epoxy that I need to use to fix it? I bought some JB Weld steel reinforced epoxy to use.

About any epoxy will work and JB Weld is one of the best. Just rough up the mating surfaces and follow the directions on the epoxy.

Thank you. I will report back here with the finished product hopefully here in the near future. Time to get to work

Can you vinyl wrap it, or too many curves??

I thought about wrapping it. Here is a 36K with a pretty sick looking camo wrap.

https://youtu.be/2-OFhQ3OxzU" target="_blank

Finally got around to it and here is the result after sanding, 2 coats of gloss black Rust-Oleum topside marine paint, wet sanding, buffing, coat of clear coat, more wet sanding and buffing to a shine. Not bad for a first timer and about $50 worth of junk from home depot. Now just waiting on the bell and valve section to get back from the shop and I'll take a completed picture.

https://imgur.com/gallery/GzyKqss
https://www.dropbox.com/s/39lotpvpthnh9 ... Q.jpg?dl=0

Looking good!!!

Nice job! I assume you did the bell too?

bloke wrote:If you have any remaining paint, put about three more coats on the bottom of the second branch, and on the back of the body elbow.

These are the high-wear points.

Unfortunately I don't have any extra. Hopefully the clear protects it a little. But once I get some wear in that area I'll buy some more and shoot those with extra. Thanks!

Tubajug wrote:Nice job! I assume you did the bell too?

I didn't touch the white bell. But I have a brass bell for it that has been black lacquered on the outside and shiny brass on the inside. Still waiting on it to be finished along with a valve job. Then I'll post pics when it's complete and reassembled.

It's finally done. Got it put back together yesterday. Here's some pics. I think it turned out great and I'm very happy with it. Had the metal bell black lacquered to match the body and it sounds to me exactly like a metal sousa! Only pounds lighter. Thanks everyone for the advice. Enjoy!

https://i.imgur.com/eML6zWt.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8tyynzsvxh6h ... 5ex4a?dl=0" target="_blank" target="_blank"

I’ve got Sousa lust...