I'm refinishing a couple of 20 inch Gretsch bass drum hoops.
I'm going with the Black Gloss Niro Cellulose lacquer that was on there originally.........or at least that's what Gretsch uses today. It looks nice against the Gold Sparkle inlay.
I can order it in a spray can OR in a can of paint and apply it with a paint brush etc.
Will I get a good job using the spray can if I'm careful or should I go with the paint brush method??
I'm refinishing a couple of 20 inch Gretsch bass drum hoops.I'm going with the Black Gloss Niro Cellulose lacquer that was on there originally.........or at least that's what Gretsch uses today. It looks nice against the Gold Sparkle inlay.I can order it in a spray can OR in a can of paint and apply it with a paint brush etc.Will I get a good job using the spray can if I'm careful or should I go with the paint brush method??
I've had good results in the past with spray. Its so much easier than brush and no brush marks.
I've had good results in the past with spray. Its so much easier than brush and no brush marks.
Thanks - that's what I was hoping. It's a small job anyway and if I'm careful not to have it run I don't see why I shouldn't use the "easier" spray can. You're right too about the brush marks.
For as much as it matters, I'd use engine paint from an auto parts place.
Engine paint is usually a better grade paint than others you find in spray cans.
The main thing is to watch out for is the amount of gloss - if it's what you want. I bought some cans from Checker that said gloss and ended up pretty flat.
The best paint I've found is from Interlux (sold in marine stores for boats) but it's probably about $120 a gallon now - a gallon of red was $370 last time I was there! I used Interlux on my kitchen cabinets and they're unchanged 20 years later. The car paint should run $8.
For as much as it matters, I'd use engine paint from an auto parts place.Engine paint is usually a better grade paint than others you find in spray cans.The main thing is to watch out for is the amount of gloss - if it's what you want. I bought some cans from Checker that said gloss and ended up pretty flat.The best paint I've found is from Interlux (sold in marine stores for boats) but it's probably about $120 a gallon now - a gallon of red was $370 last time I was there! I used Interlux on my kitchen cabinets and they're unchanged 20 years later. The car paint should run $8.
Thanks for that.
It's only wood - but nice vintage wood I guess - so I'll try what Gretsch Uses, becasue I'm restoring them. There will only be 1/4" of the hoop (on each side of the inlay) showing. I'll give it a try..when my hoops arrive -eBay order from USA to Canada. I hope to get them before Christmas - haha.
When I refinished the hoops on two of my Ludwig kits I used a Rustoleum for wood spray can I found at Home Depot. Its a small can, like the old Testors model paints spray can size....wow am I dating myself with that one!..LOL!..and it worked out great. I used the satin/semi-gloss black and it looks like what Ludwig used originally.
Thanks everybody.
I got it straight from a Gretsch Historian and he said Black Nitro Cellulose Lacquer from the can is the same as Gretsch used on the hoops.........that's what I've ordered.
When I refinished the hoops on two of my Ludwig kits I used a Rustoleum for wood spray can I found at Home Depot. Its a small can, like the old Testors model paints spray can size....wow am I dating myself with that one!..LOL!..and it worked out great. I used the satin/semi-gloss black and it looks like what Ludwig used originally.
That's the same paint I used on the Ludwig Standard kit I just finished. It looks just like the original from what I remember. The model paint statement dates us both. I remember that also. I was thinking about taking the wrap strip off the hoop, but I was afraid it would crack or break. I used that blue masking tape, worked great, no runs or blemishes.
That's the same paint I used on the Ludwig Standard kit I just finished. It looks just like the original from what I remember. The model paint statement dates us both. I remember that also. I was thinking about taking the wrap strip off the hoop, but I was afraid it would crack or break. I used that blue masking tape, worked great, no runs or blemishes.
I used "delicate surface painting tape on one inlay today while stripping the paint. I also bought 2 on eBay...just incase this one had problems with the wood. I think these drums were in a very damp/wet environment at some point.
The furniture stripper worked great.
I removed the inlay on the thrashed hoop last night. I used a hair dryer and a putty knife. I went very slow and it came off good - no problems. I really watched the heat while using the hair dryer.
On-going with the paint:
I've painted silver sealer inside all the shells so far. I was only going to do the bd but got carried away.
My Nitro Celullose black gloss lacquer arrived yesterday (rattle can) and I painted one of the hoops I rescued from the kit. I like it.......it's going to polish up nicely. Not getting too carried away with having a "foot-deep" shine on the hoops. The gloss black the way it is after two coats is enough and will look nice against the Gold Sparkle.
Just finished the last (second) coat on the snare - they're all painted now. I sprayed the last coat on the hoop tonight, waited for an hour with fan on in room and took the masking tape off the inlay.....it turned out very nice. I won't touch it for a few days then I'll put some nice protective wax (Mother's) on the hoop.
