mac - I leave em raw, I want the adhesive to have something to cling to. If it's too smooth, I think it weakens the bond, the glue just sits on the surface. When the grain is open, the glue has something to gain a footing on.

John

That's is what I was kind of thinking but, this IS my first rodeo here.

I wanted to know what the "pro" guys do. :D

LOL - I'm not a 'pro' just an experienced amateur! I've wrapped me a whole passle of drums though...

John

I always sand prep the shell, and I also scuff the underside of the wrap to help with adhesion. I will then scuff the top of the wrap only at the seam, under the overlap area. It all helps the adhesive "bite" in.

I've done a few, quite a few.

Thanks, Ryan

Who do you recommend for purchasing the wrap?

What do you think about the tape adhesion?

I've never used any of them. D' Drummer

You can shop around for wraps, you should end up with a good quality Delmar brand product from any of the drum suppliers. I personally use the contact adhesive method because I want a permanent finish that will last a good long time, and become part of the shell. I know you will get varying ideas on that, so I'm not going to tell you one way is better, just that I like my wrap to end up as much like a factory applied finish as possible.

I do tend to use Precision Drum for wraps, they send the wrap a bit oversized so you can trim it back to your edges, and they have been easy to work with.

ALSO!!! your stave drum shells look KILLER! Do you build any to sell? I can't imagine the man hours, unless you are tooled up to "machine" them a bit. Your drum looked awesome!

Thanks, Ryan

1. Precision Drum Co.

2. 3M Contact Cement. You'll get arguments from both sides, but I think the tape method is like wrapping a wet blanket around your shells. The wrap needs to become 'a part of' the shell so it can vibrate along with the wood. No contact, as in tape method, and it just muffles the vibrations. Just my opinion, many others will beg to differ I'm sure.

John

I'd seal 'em. The glue will not soak into the wood that way. Plenty of adhesion..

Wait a minute!

Are you saying to seal the wood as opposed to leaving it raw so the glue would not soak into the wood?

Are you saying that too much of the glue will soak in and not be enough left between the shell and the wrap for adhesion? :confused:

If this is the case should just do a coat of sanding sealer?

Surely you don't want to take the time to put a real heavy finish on the shell before you wrap it, right? :confused: