A while back I was asking for a crappy WMP drum to run some tests on to see what may be the best way to remove yellowing from the wrap. First thanks to Randy aka randy73, he sent me a drum that was perfect for the experiment.

So, below are some notes on how it worked with some insight and some pictures on the various methods I tried and the results. In the end, I did polish the entire drum with a Carnauba wax to see if that would help to shine up the test results since I do that with all my drums.

This will take a few posts to get all the different methods and pictures for everyone to see.

Here we go:

Side 1: Lacquer Thinner

Side 2: Lacquer Thinner and Vim aka Soft Scrub

Side 3: Hand Wet Sanding using Grits 400; 600; 800; 1000; 1500

Side 4: Novus 3 and then 2 by power buffer

Side 5: Novus 3 and then 2 by hand

Side 6: I left this side as is (possibly someone wants me try another method?)

Here is what I found:

Side 1: Lacquer thinner

Ok, this stuff smells really bad and is not good for your health plus it is highly flammable. You need to wear gloves as it is harmful to your skin. Do it outside or in your garage with plenty of ventilation.

Other than all of the safety considerations, this method is easy to do: wet a cotton rag (with a lot of thinner) and with a bit of pressure slowly pull/rub it across the drum, from top to bottom. After each top to bottom coat, I re-wet the rag. I tried small circles but the rag seemed to drag and not work well.

This way did not do a great job, not easy to control the method and would require additional steps to smooth out the finish and get rid of the haze. If left marks and streaks

Side 2: Lacquer Thinner and Vim aka Soft Scrub.

(this method was recommended by a friend and fellow collector Greg Hise)

Same safety considerations as above !

This method was also easy to do, wet the cotton rag and add a small dab of the soft scrub. With some pressure, using small circular motions I rubbed down the drum. I needed to re-dip the rag into the thinner and add soft scrub after doing about 3"x3" squares of area.

After I did the entire side, it left a small haze that I cleaned off with Windex. This method appears to have removed a good portion of the yellowing. Other than the smell, I personally liked this one the best as far as the effort it took to do and the amount of yellowing it took off, but don’t let me sway you.

Side 3: Hand Wet Sanding using Grits 400; 600; 800; 1000; 1500

By far the most labor intensive method. This left the drum dull looking. I imagine if I went to 2000 grit or beyond that it may be less hazy but I just can’t see doing an entire bass drum or kit like this. It did however, in my opinion, remove more of the yellowing than the other methods. I have a feeling if after the sanding I used a buffer with Novus 2 then the wax that it would really shine.

Side 4: Novus 3 and then 2 using a Power Buffer

I can’t tell if it took off any of the yellowing, maybe a little bit. At least I now have a nice shiny drum. The wax coat also increased the sheen.

Side 5: Novus 3 and then 2 by hand

Just like side 4, can’t tell if it did anything but the drum sure shines.

Side 6: I did not do anything to this side, left it as is as a control side.

I would be willing to try another method out on this side. Any ideas?

So this is what I saw, pictures are below.

I didn’t try the hair dresser peroxide method or the peroxide and UV black light.

Sorry but I couldn’t see spending the money for the black light bulb or dropping $15 for the hair stuff only to use a little bit and then throw out the rest, or use it up because I wouldn’t look good as a blonde !

Michael