Here is part 1 of the "After" photos for the 13" tom.

Clapping Happy2

-Mike

Part 2 of 2 "After" photos of the 13" tom put back together and quickly tuned.

I gotta say that I am pretty pleased with how this thing looks. My kids are all blown away as to how shiny it is, especially when I have a completed drum next to one that I haven't started. You can really see how cruddy and gross these drums were. They obviously are not nearly as bad as some of the before and after work I have seen on many of the other users restorations. But as I stated earlier, I am not that handy and I think my entire family is pretty shocked as to how beautiful these drums are looking!! See? Dad can do it!!!Excited

Clock is ticking, gotta get these done for a gig in early February!!

-Mike

Hey Adam,

It seemed like after cleaning it with simple green that the Novus was almost redundant. Probably my eyes but I'll just use Novus 2.

Stupid question for anyone (I asked earlier and no one responded): I taped the holes of the bare shell from inside last time. Should I be doing it from the outside? I found myself q-tiping wax out if the holes when done which was really annoying.

I initially assumed taping the outside would prevent me from cleaning the entire wrap but I guess the wrap under the lug casings is covered anyway so what would be the point? Thoughts anyone???

Thanks!

-Mike

The q-tip`n adds to the love !!

Absolutely Beautiful!! and I didn't realize you were missing parts and had repairs.

Yes, you are restoring those drums to absolute perfection. They look stunning so far. Can't wait to see them all finished and set up. Hopefully many pics forthcoming!

Wow, the wrap and the hardware look 'cherry.' Sweet job on those so far. Looking forward to seeing finished results.

I always tape from the inside, and like you, use Q-Tips to clean up the holes. Only takes a minute to clean out the holes and the entire surface of the wrap gets cleaned and polished.

John

Mike that tom looks mint! What a difference. Great job.

Mike,

No surprise how nice the wrap came out using the Novus, but what did you use on the chrome? It came out great!

Mike C.

Hey guys,

Thanks for all of the kind responses, I really do appreciate it!

On all of the chrome I used blue magic metal polish cream (bought it at Pep Boys). For the rims I did it by hand with 2 towels (application and buff). The tension rods and lug inserts I used the drill in the steel wool w/ polish technique (but I just held it in my hand instead of using the vise), then ran them again through a buffing rag).

For the lug casings I applied the polish with q-tips and then got the brilliant idea to use my dremel tool with the buffing wheel after letting the initial application. This made it easier and if someone down the road does it this way, remember to not lift it up near your face!! :) it works just as good if you hold it down on your work surface. I learned that the almost hard and painful way (maybe I should be wearing goggles... whatever!!)

For the floor tom I am going to see if the dremel tool works on the rims. May do the legs by hand, we'll see. I have the inserts and the rods done, now to get the other half done tonight and maybe polish the shell. We'll see...

Thanks again everyone for the interest! it's helping to keep me motivated!!! :D

Now off to finish that floor tom! Maybe if I spent less time typing and more doing!! LOL! Time to get serious! Storm Trooper

-Mike

16" Floor Tom - BEFORE

Not too many photos, I forgot to take closeups before I stripped the drum. This finish required more love than the 13".

-Mike