> wouldn't the "Grafitti Stripper" take the duco finish as well?

Nope... there are clear-coats over the Duco paint job. The first application of stripper will remove the paint layer on top, but it isn't strong enough to eliminate the clear-coat layers. (Mild stripper, but very effective.) It would require additional applications of the grafitti-stripper to dissolve the clear-coats. I'm betting there's a Duco finish under there. I never would have recommended the grafitti-stripper if I thought that using it would compromise the factory Duco finish.

Good question though! Using any other stronger stripper -would- hurt the Duco.

John

Not to go off-topic, but I just want to say that in regard to vintage kits that were painted over; God Bless those guys! What appears on the surface to be a gross violation, (painting over wrapped drum shells) turns out to have preserved the finish on some fine old kits. With modern strippers it's so quick and easy to remove the paint and reveal the preserved wrap underneath. Of course this doesn't apply to drums that were painted to hide damage. Many 40's, 50's, 60's vintage kits were painted over in the 70's and 80's by their owners because they thought the kits looked 'old-fashioned'. It turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

Can't wait to see what's under the paint on that little 14". Those 60's 14"s are some of the best sounding floor toms you can play/own.

John

John,

This kinda goes back to a previous discussion concerning the Citri-strip, and the reason for my questioning (not to disagree, but a concerned question) the removal of the duco as well... and I may have shared this before:

I had a Ludwig BD (a good one, too -- a 14x18) last fall that a previous owner slopped white paint over everything, lugs and all!! I used Citri-strip, and the first application of it severly damaged the navy blue laquer finish that was underneath to the point that I went ahead and removed it, too.

I came out OK on it, as I just cleaned it up, lightly sanded the shell, (heaven help me) spray painted it white and "marketed" it as "primed and ready for your choice of paint or wrap" then sold it (complete with hardware) on eBay for $350 + shipping.

I didn't have a lot invested as it came to me as part of a large lot of drums/parts I bought in Tulsa OK. So, I was happy, the buyer was happy, etc...

Hey, I appreciate so much your input (and others). I've sure learned a lot.

Bill

Bill - I'm not talking about Citrustrip at all. That crap will melt wrap! I'm talking about spray-on Grafitti stripper/remover. Entirely different product.

I'll never use Citrustrip on drums again...

John

I have a few questions about "graffetti stripper". I have a 50's ludwig drum that was painted over, then stripped with something that crazed some of the wrap. I have sanded most of the paint off and used artist's acrylic medium to fill a few splits in wrap ( it's like elmer's glue but dries hard and clear.) Would it be safe to use graffetti stripper to remove paint from the spider webs in the wrap? Where do I get the stuff?

thanks, larry

John, yeah I knew what you were talking about and that you had moved away from it. I watched that other thread with intensity because I've still got some paint to remove from some 60s 3-ply Ludwigs.

Bill

Larry - This is what I used:

http://www.liftoffinc.com/product-graffiti-remover.php

Good stuff, safe to use and it works! Try this stuff on your drum, Bill. Should do the trick.

John

Hi y'all,

You know how sometimes things don't play out as you had hoped?

Well I got the chance today (after having spent the week-end with my sister who is still in hospital after a quadruple by-pass) to check what is under the paint on this '65 Ludwig floor tom. Nice thing is my sister's heart operation was a success... not so much with what I found under this paint. I took off one of the ft leg mounts to expose the reality...hopefully a nicely preserved blue and silver Duco finish. Not to be~

The culprit who damaged this drum actually removed the Duco finish before priming in white then applying a very ugly beige latex! Yechhhh.... It was all I could do to not hurl after seeing this mess.

Any thoughts, suggestions? I hate parting out vintage classics like this so, re-wrap, re-Duco?

Purdie Shuffle, you suggested Graffiti Off. Since the Duco is not there, should I use industrial strength stripper? If its a re-wrap, then not bother removing the paint, just wrap over it?

Thanks again for input,

-kellyj

Kelly- Your call what you wish to do with the drum. If you have a kit you can use it with, wrap to match and you're all done. If you just want to flip it, sell it as-is and let the new owner decide how to finish it. If you part it out... I need those floor tom legs and clip-mounts!

Even stripped and repainted it has the potential to bring $200. + Those 60's 14"s are great sounding and very desirable drums. In any condition.

Your call at this point...

John