fish is correct, experience is the key here. But to answer your question, after removing the wrap I found birch veneer that had a million scrathces from being sanded across the grain (YIKES) so I had to use my Festool to sand them away. Fortunatly the veneer was still good after the aggressive sanding. My finish supplier used to have a blue dye on their color charts. I called them up and they still had the formula for it. So after making up some samples I decided to go with the color. Using a spray gun, fogging it on very slow while turning it on my manual turntable that I spray doors with. Once I got it as dark as I could I used some of the dye to color the next finish material which was a level sealer. Built up more color with the sealer then top coated with a gloss lacquer.

These are all products that you dont get from Home Depo. I use them to finish kitchen and bath cabinets. But if you got the shells sanded and ready you should be able to locate a finisher to do the spraying for you.

Next I am working on a table that spins by itself. I am going for a fade from light to dark look. Already tried it with an ols shell and I think it will be easy, once the turntable is ready. Here are som pics of the work in progeress.

Here is the shell before sanding.

Whats nice about these is that they are really good drums-your hard work has been well invested.Birch shells,Super Hoops....up many levels quality wise.Find a set of the tom arms that have the key screw to adjust them-unlimited adjustments.Then they'll be done-IMHO....:2Cents:

The one pic makes the toms look like the blue was darker on some than the others. Is that the case or is it my laptop? Either way, that is a nice job man and I wish you lived near me. I have an old set of Slingy drums I would love to refinish. Incidentally, what was the blue color called? It was a stain and not a lacquer right? I used to see a similar color that Gretsch used on their USA maples that was pretty close. I always wanted a set of those in that color and now you have a dx in that finish. Really nice man.

Wow thanks for that rundown! I was planning on giving my dx a nice simple stain before I sell it, but now I'm reconsidering.. anyone want a nice project? Ha

I dont really know the name of the dye that I used. I just remembered seeing it on a color chart from a few years back so I called my supplier and they made it for me it came in a quart can labled "blue microtone dye" . One picture is lighter in color thats because I took it before I was done spraaying the blue dye. They all came out the same.

Thanks for the kind words!

You are welcome man. You deserve kind words remaking nice drums in a truly sweet finish. Here's a close color on the Gretsch I was talking about. I think in different lighting they probably look lighter or darker depending on the amount of natural light. To me, blue looks great as a drum color wood stain finish. One day I will have a custom kit from Gretsch and get them either blue or a light aqua.