Rubber cement or hard contact adhesive (I forget what Gretsch used). If it's a rubber type cement you can use solvents (acetone) and steel wool to remove it. For the harder thicker stuff you can try a heat gun and putty knife to soften and scrape off most of it. Then you can sand the rest off. Start with 80 grit and watch how much sanding and pressure you use until you have a thin layer or film left then switch to 120 and stop once the glue is gone. Don't go through the top layer of veneer. Will you be re-wrapping it or staining/painting it?

Thanks JRichard!

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but it's very thin, so maybe i'll just try the sandpaper for now. I plan to re-wrap it in some old WMP Gretsch wrap.

Thanks again for the info, I'll post more questions when I come across them!

Andrew

If it's very thin use 120, sand just enough to where bumps won't telegraph through the wrap, don't kill yourself in sanding.

I have the same problem on a TearDrop project I have. I've been doing 120 grit and it is real slow work. I'm going to be paperback veneering the kit and I just want the new glue to get into bare would as it is supposed to be pourus but I don't know if that means total absence of the thin white glue residue or not.

flam you'll need to remove the glue, use acetone or like vibes mentioned on another thread, denatured alcohol. What type of glue did you plan on using with the pb veneer?

Bring your lunch.... That Gretsch glue stuff is tough to remove...

I did a kit myself and ended up using 3M Safest Stripper (any good quality stripper should work though). Tape up the holes inside the drum with blue painters tape so the junk doesn't drip into the shell and peel off your silver paint. Scrap it off after sufficient time with a stiff plastic scraper, let it dry thoroughly and then get out the sandpaper. I'd hit it with 150 grit and be done with it especially if you are re wrapping.

And post pictures!!!!

Check out this thread.....

Link

Any questions, post em up and I'll answer..... there's a technique to this one.

Thanks man!

I'm going to be using HEATLOCK and an iron.

Will get some acetone and get to work. Would a non toxic stripper work?

Depending on the age of your Gretsch drum, the glue residue might come off with plain water. Mine did. I didn't need to sandpaper or any solvents. It took quite a bit of time, but a small amount of water on a rag took it off easily. I believe my snare was from the late 50s.

jim