Yeah the simple green I picked up from my car tinkering days. I still work on cars and I use it on everything. Same with my model airplanes. Anyway taking a break from working on drums. Have to get ready for the studio. I play in two bands and have some side stuff to record in a few weeks.

[IMG]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fz9LQnbUudE/Uq-_69Nfh7I/AAAAAAAABRw/51J2QvoIwng/s640/20131215_211117.jpg[/IMG]

I am not sure if I will keep this kit but each time I look at the finish it's hard to think about parting with it. My Rogers kit I will keep for sure; between the Gretsch and this kit is what I have to decide.

I made a jig for almost free. Took a spare box, wrapped in wax paper, and made holes to fit the lugs on it. I used my same method of simple green and some diluted groove juice to get these clean.

[IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fSt9sxIlfYY/UrcE2CR_1BI/AAAAAAAABTo/XPzHtr6FFQM/s800/20131222_101910-1.jpg[/IMG]

They look great and this is before any real polishing.

Great thread - thanks for posting all of your progress.

jim

Looking good!

Thanks guys! I was able to clean up the bass drum lugs really nice and also cleaned up the floor tom leg brackets. I can't tell if they are nickel or chrome.

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After an overnight soak in Dawn soap and water the hoops came out nearly new. I decided to do this to the remaining hardware.

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I had a lot of spare hoops so I will use a spare Sonor 12" hoop. Need to just hunt down a 14" 6 hole hoop. Hardware will be all cleaned soon. I also found some silver & metal polish at the grocery store that works very well. Might just use it instead of buying the simichrome. Tried it out on some flatware first and it worked wonders.

I use Mother's Mag Wheel polish a lot. Works very well, and is $4.99 for a 5 oz tub at Wally World. Particularly good on nickel, and my Radio Kings have all nickel hardware. I try to keep them well waxed, so I don't have to polish often. It's a lot of work..........[IMG]http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad173/wdonley/abb0285e-8093-41f4-93a3-75430e56dbc3.jpg[/IMG]

That is a sweet looking kit!! Here is all the hardware (minus rail mount & floor tom legs) cleaned up and ready to go.

[IMG]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DRKmIKS2W5I/UsJF6FBId0I/AAAAAAAABX8/bzK-HiYa03A/s800/20131230_230856-1-1.jpg[/IMG]

I need to invest in a good supply of the rubber tips for all my kits. I think I need like 12 at least so far.

I love following along to this journey so far.

the kit is coming out just beautiful!

Cant wait to see more!

-cosh

Thanks! It should be done by next weekend. Honestly I have spent way too much time working on old drums vs. just practicing :( I really need to focus on my upcoming studio work I have. Anyway the cool part for me is seeing the potential in something. It's kinda relaxing for me also.