Hey thanks for all the replies and tips every everybody! I have all but two of the rims sparkling now, the hardware for the snare cleaned, everything disassembled, and all the shells unwrapped. I'm a bit peeved though at one of my buddy's who said, "trust me this will work" and then proceded to burn with his dremel the chrome on strainer, I think its called. Again, first kit :D, terminology, Im learning.. Anyway, I fixed it up a bit with 0000 steel wool and chrome polish, but still not perfect. Mike777 do you have this piece too? Promise I wont let my buddy touch!
As far as the veneer goes. I found some at the local hardware store here. Super cheap, paper backed, and comes in a roll with a smaller diameter than any of the shells so win win!
jonnistix: You are right, the coke method is definitely a short-cut. Worked real well though. I'm doing this on a MAJOR budget, so it's take shortcuts or have totally ugly drums :P I'm game for trying a different method though, so far I have only cleaned the hardware for the snares. What is a screw bun?
Ralf: I have no experience in this, so listen to others before me please! but I soaked them for a good 8 hours and then I washed them really well to get any residue off. I'll take a pic of the bass drum lug for you tomorrow.
