I've personally always used Minwax Clear Gloss. You can either get a can and brush it on or go the spray can route. I usually go with the spray as I feel I have more control over the amount I apply, and It's just easier to work with. And with the spray you can do a re-coat within 30 minutes as opposed to 3 hours.

Thanks AxA. I unfortunately shouldn't spray because the temperature and humidity aren't ideal, from what I gather from research it will cause clouding of the lacquer and might even totally screw up the finish. So I guess I'm going safe and slow with brushing. I appreciate the tips. Anyone else got any suggestions? How do I polish nickel hardware?

So after a few weeks of being preoccupied with school, I'm finally able to work on these babies again. Again, thanks so much for the support, advice, and patience with these uploads!

Earlier this week I sanded down the previous layer of primer and applied a good oil based primer to ensure good cohesion to the coming layers of lacquer coming my way.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/jGtm7FG.jpg[/IMG]

After letting them dry and sanding, I was finally ready to start doing some base coats of white spray lacquer.

Before I could start I needed to fill in the last two holes for the 13" tom. I thought about it and decided that I won't be using traditional mounting after all, and instead I'm going to opt for the isolation suspension mounts for the toms. My reasoning is that these shells are so thin to begin with and since I'm putting in all this time, I might as well throw in a little extra cash for maximum resonance while I'm at it.

So, once again, I prepared dowels and filed them down to size. Then using wood glue and filler, they are now snug and flush with the rest of the shell. Unfortunately this means I have to wait another day or two to lacquer the small tom.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/S5uey1P.jpg[/IMG]

Holes filled, filler applied, wait to dry.

Now that out of the way, I began to sand the primer smooth with 120 then 220 grit sandpaper. Not too much sanding, but just enough to remove the majority of the deep brush marks. My aim was to provide a surface upon which the could lacquer sit relatively smoothly, yet still rough enough to give good adhesion. As you can see in the pictures a couple small patches got sanded a little thin but I'm not worried.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/PjwiOfM.jpg[/IMG]

Bass drum ready to go.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/sc2mDqI.jpg[/IMG]

Marching snare (soon to be floor tom) ready to go.

[COLOR="Magenta"]Before I say anything else, let me remind those reading this for some ideas of guidance that PLEASE use goggles, proper work attire and a good respirator before you do any type of paint/lacquer spraying indoors! [/COLOR]

PSA out of the way, here are some pictures of the immediate results.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Ai8GWdk.jpg[/IMG]

Bass Drum

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/eiuZv3m.jpg[/IMG]

Later today I'm hoping to get the small tom done!

Now for the exciting part: a bonus project!

I have kept this under wraps for a few weeks because frankly I wasn't sure about how excited I was at first. In short, a friend of mine with a storage unit needed to clean out some equipment he never uses. One of which is an old Rogers R-380 steel shell snare drum! At first, he wanted to sell it to me. Not really that interested at the time, I wasn't really in the mood to put down more money (this project is coming up around the $600 mark with everything so far, not including new isolation mounts for the toms and bearing edge work for the bass and floor tom down the road). Well, after a polite decline for purchasing the drum, the guy was so nice he called me up and just said take it!

Anyway, I'm starting a new thread here with details on the project!

Thanks again guys, more to come!

Understandable about the spraying inside. I've never had a clouding issue, but then again I wet sand after I finish applying the final coat. That brings it to a glass like shine. And It's about application. With the clear you wanna do numerous coats starting from a " mist " coat, to " wet " coats. Same could be done with a brush, Apply enough to cover the drum first few, then gradually add more on to build it up nice. Coming along nice so far. Can't wait to see the final results!

Thanks man. Yeah I heard there was a risk of clouding therefore I didn't want to push my luck. What did you mean by mist and wet? What is the difference? And do you have any advice regaring application?

By mist I mean a very light coat of the clear. Wet means a heavier application. For application I would go with a brush or rub on ( can still brush the rub on ) and take it slowly. You don't want any runs with the clear. So by doing multiple coats and gradually increasing the amount applied to the drums, you'll have a bit more control.

Huzzah! I'm getting closer!

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/S69on7W.jpg?1[/IMG]

So today I finally found the time to lacquer the small tom, and apply 2 or 3 more coats of lacquer to the floor tom and bass drum.

So the first thing I did was go out and buy one of these spray can grip things:

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/i62NOd5.jpg[/IMG]

It attaches to any spray paint can and makes spraying a LOT easier. I got blisters from the can without it, and this thing only cost like $2. It was really easy to apply spray and made things flow a lot smoother.

Next, if you remember from last time, it was time for me to sand down the filler from the dowels I inserted into the small tom.

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/byuQVjx.jpg?1[/IMG]

Next I primed the small spots on that tom and also a tiny area from the bass drum where I dinged it. No biggie, everything ready to go:

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/LRGEWFS.jpg[/IMG]

Then after everything dried, I sanded lightly, wiped down, and used a tack cloth again. I sprayed about 3 cans' worth of lacquer onto the drums, applying a few extra coats on the small tom. They look GORGEOUS!

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/3cltd5s.jpg?1[/IMG]

So I guess it's time to show you guys what's coming up next...

First of all, this arrived in the mail last Tuesday:

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/tCRjeyW.jpg?1[/IMG]

A closer look at the goodness:

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/s4piLhS.jpg?1[/IMG]

Anyone as excited as me? By the way, I shared this on a Facebook page for restoring drums and got some pretty priceless comments:

[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Co35xbI.png[/IMG]

So next time, I guess it's go-time with the glitter, and possibly a start to polishing some of the hardware!

How many coats of Lacquer did you intend to put on after you apply the glitter? I used two full cans myself on the snare I am re-finishing. Still in the sanding phase myself. I've gotten it nice and smooth, just need to bring forth the shine. The reason I ask is after you apply the glitter, if you don't apply enough clear you'll sand off the glitter in no time.

Coming along nicely though, look forward to seeing the drums with the glitter applied.

Also sent you a message via Facebook, came across your posts in the restoring page.

I have three big cans of the brush-on stuff. I was going to see how far I got with that, and judging by what others are saying on here, I'm thinking between 20-25 coats, and then I'll see what that's like.

Thanks for the tip man, sorry about not accepting the friend request, I have a policy about people I don't know :/ it's nothing personal.