Posted by Chuck(G) on October 23, 2003 at 11:11:53:
In Reply to: how to lacqure a sousaphone posted by Anthony on October 22, 2003 at 20:22:38:
Okay, if you've got an old beater sousie and don't think it's worth spending the filthy lucre to put it into shape, you might want to consider the following.
Strip any remaining lacquer off using a solvent-based stripper such as Jasco varnish and epoxy stripper. Wear gloves and eye protection and follow all cautions on the can.
Polish using Brasso (this is a beater, remember, folks?) or other brass polish until the finish looks decent.
You can stop there if you don't mind a patina forming over time. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
Using some acetone, carefully clean every inch of the horn; every single nook and crannie and fingerprint, so that the surface is absolutely clean.
In a dust-free environment with good ventilation, spray with Nikolas nitrocellulose aerosol lacquer (I think Ferree's sells it). You can get it in a gold/yellow tint--it'll take a couple of cans to do the whole horn. Do two or three coats, avoid drips and runs.
There you have it--your horn won't look like new with a bright mirror finish--but it'll probably look okay and it won't corrode. And that may be all you're after.
If you want a professional look, however, go to a professional and pay the nice man to do a good job.