Well, the kit has finally been delivered. Thanks to everyone who participated, donated, and provided moral support to me so the job could get from rotten shells to a masterpiece. You all know who you are, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my rotten heart. I can hardly wait to hear the young man play them. This kit is made of 3 ply Star and Pearl, pre-1967 1/2 shells.
The process, although simple, is time consuming. I work literally every square inch of the drums, from edge to edge, interiors and exteriors. The interiors of this kit were sanded smooth to 100 grit. The edges on the bass and ride tom needed some repair, so they got a bit of plastic wood, then slightly re-contoured to make a Starphonic type edge on the tom, and a smooth round over on the bass, followed by lacquer. The floor tom was chewed up as well so it got the same treatment, up to the contouring. This drum got the Gretsch style 30* edges, sanded smooth and lacquered as well.
All edge work is done using 100 then 220 grit.
The exteriors are then sanded smooth, to 100 grit, hardware holes taped off then the base coat applied. This kit is dark royal blue with multi-colored fine and super-fine glitter mixed into the lacquer top coats, 9 coats total, xxxx-fine steel wool between coats.
Interior treatment is basically sand to 100 then a coat of lacquer, and on this one, it got a coat of granitone. It seals the shells and provides a nice, round, warm tone. That about gets all the technical stuff out of the way, except for the deep cleaning of the chrome, and the wrapping of the springs with cotton, scouring the tension screws and rod with mineral oil and steel wool, the lug mounting screws also get the steel wool treatment.
Other than that, it's no big deal.
Hey Tyler, please post a youtube video for us!
