Yeah, I'm liking the green pearl type paint idea too. Thinking of taking a pic of it to a color match place and trying to find the most relevant green and do a solid version. Im going to do the flat grey interiors and try to get either some repro tags or make my own.

Anyway...some more progress today. 12 is now actually sanded and nicer than shown in the pic. Also got it hoop clamped. 16 is in beginning stages. Who knew grey orange and blue could make such a baby crap green! Ill at least finish the 16 today and get it hoop clamped too. If I get the bass done it will be a miracle, but who knows.

The exterior was really easy...they must have just slopped a coat of clear on and called it good. It came right off and then with a little steel wool and a quick sand it is ready for a few more light rounds of fine grit and primer. Gonna do the insides first though.

Also, noticed a "K" written in pencil inside the floor tom. Does anyone know if that is a factory thing to designate something? Maybe previous owner did it before he threw down the killer orange/blue interior?

Anyway...also cleaned up all the chrome today. Its all good. Tom mount and cymbal holder are expecially nice. Ill post pics of that stuff later.

-Adam

Looks good...keep going...

The K on the shell is the shell makers initials...

If the tags were still inside....they'd have them as well...

Keep going...gonna watch this posting as well..

You've been busy. Looking real nice, keep it up!

The 16 was way more of a bear. Not sure if there was just a super uneven sanding/clear done or what, but there's definitely a grey tint inside that isn't wanting to come off, and the exterior clear was super hard to get through. I think it's to the point where it's ready for fine sanding and a primer tho---so I'm calling it good. Just gotta clamp a separating hoop.

Here is a pic of the bass drum in just started mode. Seriously tough. I think Im gonna stop for today and attack the bass drum when I have some more energy. Then Ill have a wood filler party, sand, and prime inside and out.

Also, I wanted to show a pic of one of the leg mounts. This is a pretty good example of how awesome all the chrome came out. Considering the condition of this kit when found, Im quite amazed at how it is starting to look possible to make this thing beautiful again.

-Adam

Ya...the chrome did pop out nicely...

The bass drum will wear you dwn....

I did mine a ways back and it took me 2days..because my arms,hands were tired...

Take yr sweet time and get everything done right as you are...

Then take yr time with making a decision as to the final appearance..

Will do. Ill likely go over the floor again too inside and out. The more I see it, the more Im not super happy with it as is. I dont think the uneven tone of the wood is that big of a deal since it will be painted, but I want to make sure I get all of the clear off and get it good and smooth. I just don't feel like it is there yet in comparison to the 12. The bass is gonna be serious...gonna take a couple more rounds for sure. Im in no hurry...I want this to turn out nice. I appreciate the encouragement and advice!

-Adam

ANOTHER DAY IN STRIPPER TOWN...

Well, Im done strippin. For real this time.

The bass drum went super smoothly on the outside, but horribly on the inside, which leads me to believe that nothing makes sense in this world. I revisited the 16. They all look pretty even now. The main issue is that the bass drum has some water damage in the bottom that was covered in paint. Luckily re-covering it in paint will probably be fine. The structural integrity of the shell is fine, so Im fine with it.

Clamped the separating ring on the bass drum. The edges on the bass drum are pretty chewed up in some spots. Im going to move on to the next stage, which is wood putty on all the weird spots and then I am going to decide if the edges need to be recut or if they will be fine once the putty is in and they are leveled a little on a table.

As far as finishing goes...Im a little concerned about painting the exteriors. Been looking at set ups for turntables, and guns etc. Not sure if I want to invest all of that time and money on these shells or not just to take a major chance on screwing it all up with paint. Another option (which is probably just about the same price as doing it myself) is having a custom paint shop in town here do the outsides of the shells. They quoted me $200. I think thats pretty good considering Ill have virtually nothing into the drums other than my hard work and stripper/rags/gloves/sandpaper/primer.

Another similarly priced (slightly more) option is Turquoise Glass Glitter from Precision Drum. But then Im doing a wrap project....which I dont mind. Either way Im looking at $300ish into the kit...which at the end of the day is just a little more than the L arm and tom arm are worth so thats probably pretty good, right?

-Adam

3m makes a brush-on wood hardener, use some on the bass drum where the water damage is. Use a quality primer/sealer for the interiors before you paint them. If you're wrapping the outsides, no further prep is needed on exteriors. Good luck which ever way you go. I'm in the middle of doing the same thing to a 60's Camco kit. It's fun watching your project because we're almost up to the same part of the job. I started wrapping mine yesterday and I'm real happy with how they are coming out. Consider wrap as well as paint to finish them. The turquoise sounds like a great choice.

John

Thanks for the wood hardener suggestion. Ill do that for sure before putty/sanding. As far as primer/sealer...what do you recommend? I was thinking of just doing a white primer and then the flat grey.

-Adam

It's expensive, but it works. This is the stuff I use...

http://www.zoro.com/g/00063531/k-G0847025?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google_Shopping_Feed&gclid=CjkKEQjwwbCcBRCxvJn9-N6dorwBEiQAVriOioa4MW0YU_epc-D8K92fN08k0jVDjrEh05licrGIASDw_wcB

John