bill

ive redone quite a few hoops using nothing fancy at all. ive been painting for many years using just regular spray cans but always getting good quality paint and good results.

i recently redid some hoops that were in sad condition on a ludwig 64 clubdate 22" bass drum. in the past, i have masked the inlay off with tape to eliminate any chances of braking the sometimes brittle inlay. when i went to do mine a few weeks ago, i didn't have the right size tape. so, i very carefully removed the original staples in the hoops. they were hard to get started coming out. had to pry under them carefully with a knife. then pulled them out with needle nose pliers. one staple broke. sat the inlays aside.

sanded the hoops good with 220 sandpaper. then smoothed them out a bit with 400 paper. wiped them down good with some rubbing alcohol to get them good and clean. when i sanded, i didnt go down to the bare wood. left paint on them to use as a primer base so to speak. i used some black lacquer that i got from ace hardware. sprayed one light coat,just enough to cover and let it dry for an hour or so. some would probably sand in between coats but i usually dont just for time sake i guess. then a sprayed a even coat on a little heavier. not too heavy to run though. let that dry about an hour and then one last coat. let them dry overnight. reinstalled the inlays. i was having a hard time getting the original staples back in. didnt want to be tapping them and break the inlay. these hoops had perfect inlay. sky blue pearl inlays are hard to find. i used a thin two sided tape,sections in intervals to adhere the inlays on the hoop. ive also used a little contact glue or adhesive before. make sure the tape is thin to where the inlay won't stick up,if you go that route. i did not clear coat mine,but you certainly could if you desired to do so. i think mine turned out great and looked factory to me.

hope this helps some...

mike

Just found that Andy Foote has a paint made by Behlen "Jet Spray" black gloss lacquer that sounds like it fits the bill.

Presuming this goes forward...I'd still like to have some painting technique guidance. Lay it flat? Hang it flat with coat hangers? Or ...

I learned SO many things on the cars through trial and error. Ouch! No helpful forum cats to ask!

i lay mine down flat on an old metal desk that i have outside my shop. the key to good painting,for me. is to spray lightly and spray past the hoop itself almost in a sweeping back and forth motion. err in the way of putting it on lightly.

i have also hung them on a tree branch with a coat hanger. all depends on what you feel works for you..

mike

Here's an earlier thread worth a look..

http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=36189&highlight=hoops

Cheers

I prefer hanging them from a tree if the weather is kind.

For the pair I am doing now, I did take them back to wood and also dremeled out the inlay strip. This will be a gigging kit so I first stained the hoops black using black aniline dye. This meant longer drying time for the first coat. I also sand between every coat and I might spray 12 coats.

Thanks, y'all...

There are some great tips in the thread, too. The best I think is to remember to use a sanding sealer.

Also a recommendation to use a light steel wool treatment between coats. I know I'll see as I go, but would that include the final coat??

I haven't even begun to investigate removing the wrap strip. Heat gun set at medium and narrow putty knife (plastic)??

An effective way to mask off the inlay is to use Scotch Blue Painters Tape for Delicate Surfaces (Lowes / Home Depot). I think 1" is the narrowest you can get. Align one edge of the tape with one edge of the inlay and press it down all the way around. Use your finger nail to make a crease in the tape at the other (overlapped) edge. Then use an Xacto knife to carefully cut the tape along the overlapped edge. It's so thin it cuts very easily. The Delicate Surface Tape protects well during sanding, etc., but pulls off easily when you're finished painting. Used it several times...works great. As far as paint, I prefer Krylon satin (low gloss, not flat) paint for hoops.

Thanks -- I like this idea a lot. For one thing, it avoids the expense of new hoos. And it takes aways the risk of damaging the inlay.

The downside is that the hoops are slightly damaged... the wood has had some bumps n' dents.

BUT, given the fact that I haven't disassembled the kit for a complete refurb, I think I can live with that.

I've used the blue tape on a number of occasions. And I like the idea of 'hand trimming' for best fit.

Thanks for the perspective....still a strong temptation for the perfection of new hoops! I'd prefer 1 1/2 hoops instead of the 1 3/4....but the wider are original!

Hi,

I've had good results using painters tape over the inlays during painting. I cut the tape to match the exact width of the inlay using an exacto. I've never had a problem with inlay ripping off when removing the tape. I just painted a pair of hoops with Rustoleum black lacquer. They came out smooth and shiny. Three total coats. Prior to painting I sanded with medium and then fine grit sand paper.

Good luck!

James