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78 Ludwig Vistalite resto project

Posts: 14 Threads: 3

Hey gang, I have a 78 Vistalite that I've owned for going on 20 years. Neat little story about it; It belonged to my old drum teacher when I was about 20. He swapped it to a drum trader for a clear vistalite set.

I told him that if I had known he was getting rid of it that I'd have bought it, so he gave me the trader's number and I got it.

Anywho, long story short, I moved, and my brother put it in his basement for me. Fast forward a decade or so and I have just taken posession of the drums again from him and am looking to bring her back to her glory.

His basement took water so the lugs on the bottom of the bass drum are oxidized like an old car battery, and the wood hoops are trashed. Aside from a decade of dust and some spider's nests, she's in good shape.

Pics to follow...

Kevin

1978 Ludwig VistaLite - Smoke
8x12, 9x13, 16x16, 14x22 no matching snare... yet.

2009 Gretsch Catalina Maple - Tobacco Fade Sunburst
7x8, 8x10, 9x12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x22, 6x14
Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 14 Threads: 3

[IMG]http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/kvld17/Ludwig%20Vistalite/vista1.jpg[/IMG]

There she is in all her filthy and neglected glory

[IMG]http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/kvld17/Ludwig%20Vistalite/vista2.jpg[/IMG]

Wow... even my son doesn't get that dirty!

[IMG]http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/kvld17/Ludwig%20Vistalite/vista4.jpg[/IMG]

The bottom bass drum lug and T claw oxidixed terribly. The wood hoop is shot.

[IMG]http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/kvld17/Ludwig%20Vistalite/vista5.jpg[/IMG]

more dirt

Kevin

1978 Ludwig VistaLite - Smoke
8x12, 9x13, 16x16, 14x22 no matching snare... yet.

2009 Gretsch Catalina Maple - Tobacco Fade Sunburst
7x8, 8x10, 9x12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x22, 6x14
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 14 Threads: 3

[IMG]http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/kvld17/Ludwig%20Vistalite/vista6.jpg[/IMG]

Just freakin' filthy...

[IMG]http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/kvld17/Ludwig%20Vistalite/vista8.jpg[/IMG]

All toms appear to have "original", or at least period correct heads on the reso side.

[IMG]http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/kvld17/Ludwig%20Vistalite/vista10.jpg[/IMG]

There's some sort of adhesive residue inside the bass drum as if someone tried to tape a muffling device inside it. You can also see how the drum has two different styles of lugs; the standard Ludwig mini-lug around the drum and a smaller, rounded off version under the drum. I assume for clearance reasons.

Kevin

1978 Ludwig VistaLite - Smoke
8x12, 9x13, 16x16, 14x22 no matching snare... yet.

2009 Gretsch Catalina Maple - Tobacco Fade Sunburst
7x8, 8x10, 9x12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x22, 6x14
Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 14 Threads: 3

Ok, so I took the skins and hoops off, rinsed the drum off in the tub, (Boy, was my wife mad!) and took an old toothbrush to the lug. This is before...

[IMG]http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/kvld17/Ludwig%20Vistalite/vista4.jpg[/IMG]

And this is after... I still want to replace it, but it made a big difference. You can really see the difference in it's translucence with the opaque heads off of it. Clear heads will be chosen for sure.

[IMG]http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w116/kvld17/Ludwig%20Vistalite/vista11.jpg[/IMG]

Kevin

1978 Ludwig VistaLite - Smoke
8x12, 9x13, 16x16, 14x22 no matching snare... yet.

2009 Gretsch Catalina Maple - Tobacco Fade Sunburst
7x8, 8x10, 9x12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x22, 6x14
Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 14 Threads: 3

Now for the questions....

The tom tom hoops have light surface rust, as do the rods, but the T claws are bad.

Is there a preferred rust removal technique you guys use?

I've heard everything from soaking in white vinegar, to car care stuff and even electrolysis.

Kevin

1978 Ludwig VistaLite - Smoke
8x12, 9x13, 16x16, 14x22 no matching snare... yet.

2009 Gretsch Catalina Maple - Tobacco Fade Sunburst
7x8, 8x10, 9x12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x22, 6x14
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 941 Threads: 51

I have only limited availability of products here in Japan so after researching on various forums I went with simple BAKING SODA POWDER and WATER mixed into a thick paste and then scrub the rusty surface for awhile- I use a toothbrush or a scrubby sponge as well or various soft brushes- most often a toothbrush. That will get most off- for the heavy little rust mountains I then ball up aluminum foil and a little water and scour very lightly and then reapply the baking soda paste and brush. This has worked well for me so far for restoring MIJ chrome plated metals. For the vistalite shell you`ll need to read the special section that`s here on the forum in the drums restoring archive. Best of luck!

For info. & live schedule:
www.EricWiegmanndrums.com
*Odery Drums Japan endorser/ representative
*Japan Distributor of Vruk DrumMaster pedals
*D'Addario Japan Evans/Promark/Puresound
*Amedia Cymbals Japan

It's the journey not the destination.
Posted on 14 years ago
#6
Posts: 14 Threads: 3

From OsakaBop

I have only limited availability of products here in Japan so after researching on various forums I went with simple BAKING SODA POWDER and WATER mixed into a thick paste and then scrub the rusty surface for awhile- I use a toothbrush or a scrubby sponge as well or various soft brushes- most often a toothbrush. That will get most off- for the heavy little rust mountains I then ball up aluminum foil and a little water and scour very lightly and then reapply the baking soda paste and brush. This has worked well for me so far for restoring MIJ chrome plated metals. For the vistalite shell you`ll need to read the special section that`s here on the forum in the drums restoring archive. Best of luck!

Thanks Osakabop, I'll try that baking soda paste for sure. I know I need special acrylic cleaners for the shells. Meguire's is a popular brand for car detailers for the plastic lamp housings and such, so I'll probably try that.

Kevin

1978 Ludwig VistaLite - Smoke
8x12, 9x13, 16x16, 14x22 no matching snare... yet.

2009 Gretsch Catalina Maple - Tobacco Fade Sunburst
7x8, 8x10, 9x12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x22, 6x14
Posted on 14 years ago
#7
Posts: 4715 Threads: 299

I use Turtle Wax rubbing compound on all chrome. It is messy, but it works. Period.

From Cycledude

Now for the questions.... The tom tom hoops have light surface rust, as do the rods, but the T claws are bad. Is there a preferred rust removal technique you guys use? I've heard everything from soaking in white vinegar, to car care stuff and even electrolysis.

"Ignorance may be overcome through education. Stupidity, however, is a lifelong endeavor." So, educate me, I don't likes bein' ignant...
"I enjoy restoring 60s Japanese "stencil" drums...I can actually afford them..."I rescue the worst of the old valueless drums for disadvantaged Children and gladly accept donations of parts, pieces and orphans, No cockroaches, please...
http://www.youtube.com/user/karstenboy
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coffee...16613138379603
Posted on 14 years ago
#8
Posts: 6287 Threads: 375

Found a good thread on the subject

Link...................

Kevin
Posted on 14 years ago
#9
Posts: 941 Threads: 51

Kevin, that was an excellent link- thanks. I am hoping to find Meguires somewhere in Japan-otherwise I think I`ll have it shipped over. Sounds like a must have.

For info. & live schedule:
www.EricWiegmanndrums.com
*Odery Drums Japan endorser/ representative
*Japan Distributor of Vruk DrumMaster pedals
*D'Addario Japan Evans/Promark/Puresound
*Amedia Cymbals Japan

It's the journey not the destination.
Posted on 14 years ago
#10
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