Cleaning fiberglass sousas...

Wes Krygsman · Post by **Wes Krygsman** » Thu May 12, 2005 9:34 pm

I was just wondering how to clean a fiberglass sousaphone. I've cleaned my silver horn, my high school's lacquer horns, but I just wanted to make sure that I don't screw up my friend's sousaphone with water or some other materials that would mess it up. Thanks in advance to all who reply.

TubaSteve · Post by **TubaSteve** » Sat May 14, 2005 8:13 am

I would stay away from any cleansers, they will scratch. You'd be surprised at what you can get off with Windex. I would then use use "Jubilee" kitchen wax or "Pledge". I prefer the Jubilee as there is more wax in it, but both work well plus there is just enough solvents in them to remove gunk without being harmful to the finish. It will make the horns much more pleasant to use also if they are clean and smell nice. (Remember this is made to be used on fine furniture) I use it on all of my horns, have for years.
Steve

Wes Krygsman · Post by **Wes Krygsman** » Sat May 14, 2005 11:58 am

I was looking more for the inside of the horn. It has been used in very dusty marching situations and I don't think it has ever been cleaned. I was wondering if cleaning it the normal way(with water and vinager being put through it) would work or if it would mess up the sousa. I have no experience with fiberglass sousas, so I just wanted to know if anyone knew of any reason not to use this stuff inside the sousa.
Thanks for the info about the outside, I'll do that after I clean out the inside ... if anyone gets back to me.

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Sat May 14, 2005 12:15 pm

Wes Krygsman wrote:I was looking more for the inside of the horn. It has been used in very dusty marching situations and I don't think it has ever been cleaned. I was wondering if cleaning it the normal way(with water and vinager being put through it) would work or if it would mess up the sousa. I have no experience with fiberglass sousas, so I just wanted to know if anyone knew of any reason not to use this stuff inside the sousa.
Thanks for the info about the outside, I'll do that after I clean out the inside ... if anyone gets back to me.

Vinegar won't bother fiberglass--actually, there's not much outside of volatile organic compounds (such as acetone) that will. Of course, you shouldn't abuse this property--keep things tepid or cooler.

punk_tuba · Post by **punk_tuba** » Sat May 14, 2005 2:31 pm

at my high school we used:
windex
an all purpose cleaner, diluted in water
toothbrush

have fun