Drummer Talk 252 – Drum Kit Makeover Part 1, Restoring

We kick off part 1 of our 3-part series on drum kit makeovers by focusing on restoring drums.

Drummer Talk Mailbag

• From Dov,
  

  Hey, I’m a long-time listener, and loved episode 251. I started playing drums about 6 or 7 years ago, and, living in an apartment, went with a Roland TD-4 as my kit (the original, not the current one). Like the current TD-11K (http://www.roland.com/products/td-11k), it has a mesh head for the snare, but rubber everyplace else. I played an acoustic kit during my weekly lessons, but other than that, I have only played the V-Drums. Is there anything I should keep in mind, when I eventually start playing an acoustic kit more frequently? Any bad habits to look out for, or ways in which I may need to compensate?

News

• Father of U2 Drummer Passes Away
• All That Remains Drummer Sidelined By Dental Injury
• Science Shows Drummers Are Fitter and Happier Than Everyone Else
• Phil Rudd Pleads Guilty to Charges
• AC/DC Drummer to Host Clinic in Dublin
• Neon Trees Drummer Pregnant

Topic Notes

Determine what type of wrapped kit you have.

• Single glue seam – Sheet is wrapped around and glued with a single glue seam – Don’t restore replace
• Full glue press – Glue is all the way around
• Vintage wrap – etc. Old Nitrocellulose hardened plastic
• Modern Wrap –  Delmar , vinyl , PVC
• Pvc Sheet – Don’t try to restore replace _ think pearl forum, and export kits from the 80’s-early 2000’s

Hardware Vintage hardware is either nickel or metal chrome plated

• For nickel hardware use brasso or LIQUID bar keepers friend
• For chrome I like simple green and a dremel polishing bit – sorry if it’s pitted you’re kinda out of luck
• Hoops use a Dremel polishing bit
• For drying hard to reach places like Snare strainers I use compressed air to blow out the excess liquid

The Process

• Start by light sanding 250-300 all the way around Key is light sanding taking off 1000 mics at a time
• Move up by 200 grit every step 500 ,600, 800 , 1000, 3000, or jeweler’s rouge

Tools For restoring your drums

• Dremel tool    Variable speed 5000 RPM’s
• Cordless Detailing Polisher
• Polishing Bits
• Simple Green
• Sandpaper
• Sanding block
• Rotary sander
• Jewelers rouge
• Car cutting  compound

Music from this week’s show

• Neon Trees – Everybody Talks
• Rush – One Little Victory: 2002 Original Mix, 2013 Remix
• Neon Trees – Weekend

In closing…

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Next week: Drum Kit Makeover Part 2, Rewrapping

Drummer Talk 252 - Drum Kit Makeover Part 1, Restoring Download