Good day
I am preparing some 50's Gretsch drum shells to be painted by a local Custom painter. I will be doing all or most of the prep. work on the shells. I've sanded to 400 and filled all the nicks and small gouges with Minwax 'epoxy-type' wood filler and sanded smooth. There are some black lacquer stains that are too deep in the wood hoops and could not be sanded out. I'm okay with leaving them there as long as I can primmer the shells and hoops and the painter can do a reasonable job. I'm okay with having a few warts here and there.......they will fit with the one original drum I have.
The paint has been mixed - close to Cadillac Green.....it's a 'water born' paint. We can't use (buy) lacquers in B.C. Canada. I will be plugging all the holes in the shells and taping them off from inside of the shell.
Any tips on prep for painting would be appreciated. The paint job will be a high-end Automotive finish. What primmer should I use keeping in mind the paint will be water-based?
The drums:
1951 22" 3ply bd
1953 16" 3ply f/t
New 3ply Will Tillman Custom snare 6.5x14
Original (not touching that) 9x13 3ply Gretsch rack tom in Cadi Green with original gold hardware.