Don't give up yet. Just finished my second duco strip - messy business. I used a stripping gel compound, to try to avoid contact with the lead based paint. For me, a light sanding of the shell at this point, was all it needed to get rid of the blue residue. Ask the experts though, to be sure. Hey - are you doing all this with the badges still attached??

It souldnt be an issue if you are going to spray a primer, then the piano black. And I agree with daddy, remove the badges. It is not that hard to do, worth the effort. Otherwise you will have to depend on a perfect masking tape job and if the badge ever moves then "oh crap!"

Your doing a good job! Thanks for the update, Im enjoying this!

Jeff C

Remove the badges... no way to save the grommets, but remove the badges. A little filing on the inside flange of the grommets will cut through without damaging the shell if you're careful. The grommet should just pop out once the flange is removed.

Treat yourself to some of this stuff:

http://www.3m.com/product/information/Safest-Stripper-Paint-Varnish-Remover.html

It'll get off any remaining paint pigment on that floor tom. The bass drum should be a breeze. 3M also makes a spray gel stripper that I like a lot. You might want to try it.

Fun watching 'somebody else' do all the grunt work for a change! LOL Can't wait to see how they come out.

John

Still not sure i will remove the badges. How would i find replacements and install them?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Musical-Instruments-Gear-/619/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=badge+grommets

You shouldn't need to replace any badges, just the grommets. There is also a grommet installation tool available that is easy to make with bits and pieces. The one they are asking $39. for I made from a bolt, a couple of nuts and some washers for $1.99.

God bless, Home Depot!

John

Found some time today to strip the flaking black paint from the BD. The finish was very dry. I'd say about 1/3 came off just by wiping it with a dry paper towel. The rest came off easily with lacquer thinner. The wood grain has quite a bit of color variation. Most of the darker streaks you see are not paint residue, but wood grain. This drum would not look good stained. It's paint grade only.

Next up, paint! I am still undecided about removing the badges. I could probably make a grommet tool easily, just not sure about getting the new grommets to look right on the inside.

Jim

Pull the badges dude! Filing, or dremelling from the back will not disturb the badge, and if you take your time, you can preserve enough of the grommet stem to slide it back in with a bit of glue - it's not a collector kit. The grief you will avoid in the painting/staining/lacquering stages is well worth the sacrifice. Was tough for me to remove my first keystone badge, but much cleaner result in the end. :2Cents:

OK - you've convinced me to remove the badges. The tool looks easy enough to make, since I own a small metal lathe. Where to find the correct grommets?

Thanks

jim

Ebay. I.e; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ludwig-Brass-Keystone-Badge-Vent-hole-Grommets-/300957246134?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46127322b6

Using a small needle file, removing all 3 badges took about 20 minutes. I simply filed away the metal flange that was on the inside. The grommet slipped right out.