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Refinishing a couple Luddy Supras

Posts: 430 Threads: 68

I have a couple Ludwig Supraphonics that were pitted pretty badly. I saw some great results from a couple guys took theirs to metal plating shops and had them stripped or replated. I decided to just have them stripped and I polished them to a slightly shinier than satin finish.

Here they are freshly de-plated of their chrome:

[img]http://www.mountainserver.net/drums/suprastrip/stripped.jpg[/img]

And the shells after a lot of polishing work. I had to sand out a lot of pits in the aluminum and tried several times for the final finish. Finally I am satisfied:

[img]http://www.mountainserver.net/drums/suprastrip/polished.jpg[/img]

And here is the 402 re-assembled:

[img]http://www.mountainserver.net/drums/suprastrip/supradone1.jpg[/img]

I need to get a new grommet and the right throw for the 1960's 5", so it may be a bit before I re-assemble that one.

Posted on 14 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

WOW!! ben, man that looks absolutely awesome!!! well done brother!!!Yes SirCool1

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 14 years ago
#2
Posts: 639 Threads: 28

What was the polishing process? details please. Very nice results. . . .James

Posted on 14 years ago
#3
Posts: 430 Threads: 68

From FatherTime

What was the polishing process? details please. Very nice results. . . .James

Random orbit sander starting with 220 grit (I had to go this coarse to remove the pits from aluminum), ending with 800. Hand work with 0000 steel wool, then add automotive polishing compound with the steel wool. For finer grits and hand work, wet sanding really helped.Wash off with water and dishwashing liquid, wax with automotive wax.

Posted on 14 years ago
#4
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

Too cool! Nice job..........

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 14 years ago
#5
Posts: 5174 Threads: 188

Really pretty drum! Nice work!

"God is dead." -Nietzsche

"Nietzsche is dead." -God
Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 1118 Threads: 30

Sweet! Looks like the finish on my pre-serial Acrolite...

1970 Ludwig Downbeat
1965 Ludwig Hollywood
1970 Ludwig Jazzette
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 96 Threads: 24

Well colour me impressed!!

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 63 Threads: 6

Nice job!

Did you take the shells somewhere to have them stripped? What do they use to strip a shell?

This is the plan with my Supra and Super Sensitive when the flaking gets really bad on them. But after 43 years and no worse than they are, no telling how long that will take.

Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 812 Threads: 53

Very, very nice...can't wait to see the 400! Sounds like a lot of "elbow grease", but it certainly paid off.

Gary G.
1963 Ludwig Gold Sparkle Hollywood Kit
Ludwig Collection: 10 Vintage Snare Drums, 4 Customized Vintage Snare Drums, 4 Vintage Foot Pedals, 1 Single Value Bugle
Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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