http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=124705&stc=1&d=1554715202

If you are thinking that the indent below the strainer is damage, you would be incorrect. That's the crimp for the snare bed. Don't touch it!

That shell sure looks dented to me.

Yes, I am aware that is for the snare bed - it is also dented, you just can't really tell from the photo

Yes to each of the ideas that you have already put forward... Autosol will do a decent job on the shell, the foil should knock off the rough bits on the hoops. The shell is fairly soft which is why they tend to dent so much, however I've had good luck removing some dents with little more than bare hands. Not all that good with a mallet , I prefer to use a bench vice and a succession of various size round edge wooden blocks for the bad ones. Use a clamping motion & wind them back to shape use a soft towel or cloth to protect the shell from scratching. Pay attention to the opposite end snare bed & you should be fine...

Cheers

John

I've never been able to get behind the idea of using aluminum foil to clean up rims.

I know some folks swear by it, but I'd rather err on the side of caution about this. Simichrome or some other good polish and cotton rags for me.... Change out the rags or re-fold them often to keep a fresh cleaning/polishing surface to keep the particulates being removed from scratching the rims.

Just my two cents worth this morning....:)

Any good chrome polish is all you need to clean the shell, hoops, lugs, etc. For shell dents, I've used special tools for automotive dents. Did a great job! For chrome polish, I use Mother's brand.

Keep in mind that the OP is in Cambodia. Not sure how easy or difficult it is to find the products we are all mentioning to use.

-Mark

Thanks Mark, and a good point - it is hard to get certain products in Cambodia. However, I have just moved back to my home country of Scotland for a few months and have brought the drum with me so I should be able to get products without too much problem.

I only suggested Autosol as I have it for an old bike project.

Any recommendations for heads and snare wires? I mostly have Aquarian heads on my other drums, but they are all wood. I have never had a metal snare - what are the current favorites?

One thing to consider with the actual snare wires is that they extended beyond the bearing edge. You need snares that are longer than standard 14” snares. I was recently inquiring about this and was informed that the wires that fit Pearl extended snare drums, the free floating design I believe, will fit. Both Pearl and Puresound make these and they are about 15 3/4”. The pearls are about $15us and the puresound $35us. Remo ambassador/pics were original heads on these drums. Check out the vintage drum catalogs in the vintage drum guide for more info. I think it is in the 1979 catalog. There is a lnk at the top of the page.