I'd be having the chrome that's beyond help sandblasted and immediately spray with clear lacquer-it's very thin and a hard surface. But be careful of white metal parts-you'll have nothing left!

You could name that kit 'Rusty'! But the price was sure right!

You can kill that rust and paint / polish the parts. You're going to have a blast with this one, really! Here's why: You can't hurt it! Anything you do will be an improvement!

Keep the pix coming as your restoration continues.

Cool project. There was a member that went with the rustic hardware/shell look and they turned out great. Rustoleum has the specialty paints, like hammered steel or bronze, which might look awesome for the lugs. I vote for a wrap from a craft store, since this is an "on the cheap" project. If you have extra heads, you're in good shape. Otherwise, you've just increase your project by 10x. :(

Keep posting your updates.

-Tim

SOAK.....in Dawn dishsoap (original blue stuff) and H2O mix. I usually soak between 24-48 hours. Then use a toothbrush and it all just falls right off. Then polish with the green bottle Turtle Wax "Chrome Polish and Rust Remover" (that's the long name of it).

These two combined are a very popular option used by many on here.

I picked up a Rogers set in similar condition. Totally rusted. The overnight Dawn soak did a great job at removing the bulk of the rust, but there just wasn't enough chrome left to polish and brighten up. I think painting or powder-coating is the answer in such cases (or completely replating with new chrome if you want to make such an investment).

So if you're going to paint or powder-coat, the question is what color scheme? As someone mentioned, black is getting all too common. Which manufacturer does those super bright, neon colors (green and yellow) on all the hardware? I think the right color combination for the hardware and shells could really turn this cellar dweller into a work of art. Green & red for Christmas, neon pink and lime green, or how about chocolate brown hardware on butterscotch shells? The possibilities are only limited to your imagination.

Post pics of what you finally end up doing with these.

Seems like a good kit for a punk band...

Coke on tap may not be enough for those :)

You can buy powder coat kits that can be done at home. I've talked to a few people that say it's great for small parts. The only issue is that the parts need to be baked in the oven (don't tell mom).

Nice find, and a good challenge!

Was that Camco pedal included? That's worth at least $25. Not bad!

One of many name's used by Pearl M.I.T. in the 80's

But for 5.00 that a good deal and alot of work to do..Mikey

Hello fellas,

Thanks very much for all the replies and great advice

I thought I would add an update on these rust buckets

I took my pile of rusted flaking hoops and the three floor tom legs

and headed over to my friend Carl's shop

He and his brother Tom own a place called Rhode Island Driveshaft

here in Warwick, R.I. they repair and replace driveshaft's axels and just about anything else found under a vehicle

and most of their work is for huge trucks and other machinery the real heavy duty stuff.

Anyway Carl and Tom were kind enough to let me use their sand blasting cabinet to blast the rust and the small amounts of remaining chrome

off the hoops ..I had never used a sand blasting booth before and I was having trouble seeing the work very well ..But so far I have two of the hoops and all three of the legs blasted back to clean raw steel

I looked into powder coating and so far one local place quoted me a hundred dollar shop minimum with no guarantees the price would not be higher based on the large amount of smaller parts Lugs mounts ect ect