Sousaphone "restoration" help.

[iiipopes]

Dan? bloke? Guys?

[ASTuba]

Lisa,

Just paint over it with white spraypaint. I always have done that. If you want to really make it shine, send it to an autobody place that has experience with fiberglass painting. They'll come back looking as sharp as ever. You'll probably want to paint all 3 bells if you can, so they will match. Hope this helps!!!

[Rick Denney]

My question is regarding the surface of a fiberglass bell. At some point, a person decided to spray-paint one of the bells - on the inside - black and red. I have no idea how to remedy this. Is there something that can remove it? Should I paint white over it, and if so, what's safe to use?

First, wipe it down with acetone (fingernail polish remover), which will clean it well, removing any grease or wax. If that softens the existing paint to the point that it becomes sticky, then you need to strip it all off. It's lacquer and nothing will last on top of it.

If it's not lacquer, it's probably enamel, and you can paint over that. Just get some sandpaper at an auto parts store. Use 220 grit--that's pretty fine. It won't take off the paint, but it will smooth it and feather down any chips. It will also find and remove any loose bits.

Then, paint it with a primer, sand again with 320 grit, clean (with alcohol) and prime it again, and then spray it with the color you want. Use automotive paint (or Krylon). Follow the instructions on the can explicitly. You may see flaws up close but you won't see them from the stands.

Rick "who once painted a sousaphone for exactly the same reason" Denney

[windshieldbug]

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