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Preserving 60s Slingerland Kit Duco finish

Posts: 167 Threads: 10

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and would greatly appreciate your comments and expertise.

I've got a Slingerland mid 60s Duco kit that needs some TLC. I want to preserve it as much as possible and keep the vintage vibe and road worn look like the old Fender guitars. I've torn apart the drums - cleaned the hardware and plan to install new heads all around. I want a set of "new" - "old" drums that has a ton of vintage mojo.

My quandary is that the Duco finish is starting to crack and chip off in places. I've attached a pic that shows the worst of the finish damage. I can't replace what's already gone and that's OK - but want to preserve what's left as best I can for the next 50 years.

Seems to me I've got 2 basic options to preserve the finish:

1. I'm considering spaying a clear coat protective finish on the shells. This would help prevent further chipping and cracking of the paint off the shells - but it may be frowned upon by vintage collectors and hurt the value of the kit long term - I know the Fender Strat and Tele guys don't like messing with a vintage guitar finish and want to keep the original road worn finish missing paint and all. I'm considering using a Minwax water based Polycrylic clear satin protective finish if I decide to go this route. Maybe I should be considering something else ??

2. The other option is to just carefully clean and maybe wax or oil them.

This seems more in tune with keeping them pure road worn and vintage. However this will not stop the chipping flaking and cracking of the duco finish and in 50 years there will be no duco finish.

I'm leaning towards option #1 but not convinced that's the right path. What do you guys think ?? I would greatly appreciate any opinions, comments, or perspective that you may have.

Thank You !!

Drum Doug

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Posted on 9 years ago
#1
Posts: 1170 Threads: 108

I like the road worn look also, and would just spray a clear coat over it. Now...I can't advise on the type of clear coat to use, but I would probably use a lacquer if it was me. Then again, I don't really know that much about painting/clear coats. I don't see how it would really hurt the value, either, since you are merely preserving what original finish is still there. I'd like to see pics when you're done! Best of luck.

- EMD
Posted on 9 years ago
#2
Posts: 1342 Threads: 71

I would just clean it up and put a couple of coats of wax on it. Beautiful old drumset!

Posted on 9 years ago
#3
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

I agree with EMD,Any rubbing is going to remove more paint. I have used a auto spary can clear coat to save a duco paint job worked well.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 9 years ago
#4
Posts: 6363 Threads: 223

Welcome to the forum!

Our member, jccabinets, should have some input here!

-Mark

Posted on 9 years ago
#5
Posts: 2264 Threads: 83

From ElMoonlightDrummer

I like the road worn look also, and would just spray a clear coat over it. Now...I can't advise on the type of clear coat to use, but I would probably use a lacquer if it was me. Then again, I don't really know that much about painting/clear coats. I don't see how it would really hurt the value, either, since you are merely preserving what original finish is still there. I'd like to see pics when you're done! Best of luck.

Yes to the above. Character, man! Character! :)

The greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. - Joyce Meyer
Posted on 9 years ago
#6
Posts: 919 Threads: 82

Clean and wax. I love the single lug designs with lacquer or duco finish, it all about the wood! Less metal.

I have a Leedy by slingerland like those in 12/16/22 with a COB snare.

I wish my 8x12 was a 9x13 though.

I like Drums...
1963 Ludwig Downbeat Champagne Sparkle
1964 Leedy (Slingerland) Blue n Silver Duco
1964 Ludwig Club Date Sparkling Silver Pearl
1966 Ludwig Super Classic Sparkling Silver Pearl
1968 Gretsch round badge modern jazz orange stain
1972 Slingerland 85N Pop outfit Light Blue Pearl
1976 Ludwig Vistalite clear
1981 Gretsch SSB Gran Prix Rosewood
1987 Yamaha Turbo Tour Custom Mellow Yellow
1991 Pearl Export Ferrari Red
Posted on 9 years ago
#7
Posts: 919 Threads: 82

Here's a pic

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I like Drums...
1963 Ludwig Downbeat Champagne Sparkle
1964 Leedy (Slingerland) Blue n Silver Duco
1964 Ludwig Club Date Sparkling Silver Pearl
1966 Ludwig Super Classic Sparkling Silver Pearl
1968 Gretsch round badge modern jazz orange stain
1972 Slingerland 85N Pop outfit Light Blue Pearl
1976 Ludwig Vistalite clear
1981 Gretsch SSB Gran Prix Rosewood
1987 Yamaha Turbo Tour Custom Mellow Yellow
1991 Pearl Export Ferrari Red
Posted on 9 years ago
#8
Posts: 2023 Threads: 47

From clubdate64

Here's a pic

I love how you left the bass drum hoop alone...and the rest of it too!

Drum Doug, looking forward to seeing yours all together now...

Mitch

Posted on 9 years ago
#9
Posts: 89 Threads: 32

I had a WFL snare that I wiped away some dust and stuff and then sprayed high quality lacquer (4 or 5 thin coats) and I love it. Some of the finish is gone, but what's there has got a good long time to go and it looks and sounds fabulous.

I love your Slingerland kit.

Posted on 9 years ago
#10
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