If it is a solid brass shell then I would think that some Goof Off or high quality paint remover that you can get from your local hardware store should work unless the paint is a baked on enamel. If it is a baked on enamel then good luck.

Whom gave you the idea of boiling in vinegar, eat the cake jajaja You have two ways of removing paint removing it with a paint Remover Or Use of what is called Rubbing compound with the rubbing compound you also remove any and all scratches the drum may have under the paint. Look at other comments I have made regarding cleaning brass drums http://vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=44942&highlight=rogers+timbales

This will guild you on how to do.

paste it with ultra strip, from back to nature co. , cover it with soft plastic for 24 hours it a nice 72 degree give or take work area,,, then rinse under water lightly, just to get it wet and , work up a lather so to speak using a firm sponge and work it off a plastic scraper (can try this tool first), can be used, if there is residue left! repeat process.....for the upteenth time this should be logged into a library here for reference ....good luck oh btw were rubber gloves ..and don't use your wife's kitchen sink ..I'm just saying, good luck

[QUOTE=cuquito717]Whom gave you the idea of boiling in vinegar,

There is a lot of directions on removing paint from brass fixtures for the sloppy painter. Supposedly the heat and vinegar loosen the paint.

Basically I didn't want to use a paint stripper that would do any harm to the brass. Some of those strippers have some nasty chemicals in 'em and some of those react with metal.

Judging by all the finger prints inside the shell it was probably done by a kid with a paint brush and a can of house paint. Might try the Goof Off and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestions.

Get Motzenbockers #4 Grafitti Remover. Safe, fast, effective. Spray on/wipe off. Won't harm the brass.

John

blackrome You can use paint stripper it does not react with brass or any metal, I use it to clean badly corroded metal drums. Once the paint comes off you can polish that brass drum to a new condition. Removing any scratches it may have. As per vinegar that does not do any thing I have tried it before, it is good if you are doing a restoration that indeed is a vintage classic and you do not want to damage the patina. But for a drum that is of solid brass, stripper is the best thing to use and after you strip the paint use a polishing compound drum will come out like new. Just look a sets that I have done not having paint, but a lacquer that is over 50 years and baked on a real nightmare to remove. Here you have before and after photos believe me what you have there is a piece of cake to do if you follow my instructions. If you have a problem You can send it to me and I will make it look like new. :D

I'm not sure which looks nicer, the timbales or the scenery behind them.:D

Thanks for the advise coquito. I'll post some pic's when I have them stripped.

What paint stripper doesn't come in a metal can? ;) Actually the vineagar will react more with the brass than any paint stripper I know of. Get a paint stripper that contains methylene chloride.