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Where to start restoring my first vintage, Star/Majestic kit?

Posts: 244 Threads: 25

From jonnistix

Hi Brian, and Welcome! I normally don't like to contradict my fellows, but this is very important...NEVER, EVER use steel wool on any parts of your drums, with the exception of screws and nuts. If you follow the link in my signature to my youtube page, I have set up several restoration video tutorials. Rust is one of those things that is greatly debated across the site. I apply a liberal amount of first mineral oil, then apply some Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound and let it "soak" for about 15 minutes. I use a number of items, from cotton t-shirts to brushes to steel wool, but only for it's intended purpose of cleaning out the threads of screws and nuts.I have, for the main purpose of cleaning rust off of surfaces, a spinning brush, like a toothbrush. It is called the "SonicScrubber" Pro Detailer. You can use a spinning toothbrush as well, but make sure you have a supply of rechargeable batteries, or regular "AA"s. I keep a ready supply of rechargeables on hand for the express purpose of detailing my drums.1) Mineral Oil (I have not found anywhere that WD is more desirable than mineral oil, and mineral oil is CHEAP and lasts forever~you can get a pint for like $2.00 in the baby section at Mal-Mart)2) Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound3) Variety Pack of all 4 grades of steel wool, 00 thru 4-04) Used cotton t-shirts, skivvies, socks are a must, 5) Screw gun with adjustable torque/1-4 and drill lock, using #1/lightest setting to drive any nuts/screws on etc. and multiple bits, including a drill bit drum key ( http://www.musiciansfriend.com/search/search.jsp?sB=r&question=drill+bit+drum+key+ )6) Eagle One Wax as You Dry and a water bottle/sprayer from the Dollar Store and a good, clean, soft 100% cotton cloth. Lightly spritz on some water, then follow it with a light spritz of Eagle One and polish away, leaving your sell polished and protected.7) Many others will suggest Novus 1,2 & 3 for shell restoration. I have never used it, but I hear noting but good, so if you can afford it, go for it.This should be enough to get your head swimming...er, I mean get you started.

Nice videos! Very helpful, particularly compared to the other help videos on youtube. I think I can handle this:-)

'65/'66 Slingerland Stage Band in Red Sparkle Pearl
'67 Rogers Buddy Rich Headliner in Blue Sparkle Pearl
'49 WFL 6.5x14 Contest Snare
'55 Slingerland 7x14 Hollywood Ace Snare
'70's Premier PD2000 5x14 Snare
50's & 70's Zildjian/Paiste Cymbals
Posted on 12 years ago
#11
Posts: 244 Threads: 25

My drums arrived today! The sizes are 22/14/12, consistent with the Star Drum Mate outfit in '66, except the bass is 22". I'm not sure if the heads are original, but the drum head rings are wrapped like the old calf skin heads were. The heads are either Crest: by Weather King, Remo: Soundmaster and Remo: Weathermaster.

Tom Rims (the toms are Majestic: Semi-Pro):

One rim from each of the toms is starting to loose its chrome plating. Is there a way to recoupe these, or just buy replacements?

Bass Drum (Star, rectangular badge):

The hoops are nicked and and dinged, but the inlay is complete on both. Should I just sand the rough spots down and repaint black? Is there a particular type of paint that's best for this job? One lug insert is broken. Can replacements for just these inserts be purchased?

I've sent a PM to Mikey777 regarding the missing spurs and single tom mount.

Wrap (Star: oyster pearl design):

The wrap is bulging in a few spots, around lugs and other hardware. When I get the hardware remove, is there a way to fix these bulges?

The undressing begins tonight!Excited

'65/'66 Slingerland Stage Band in Red Sparkle Pearl
'67 Rogers Buddy Rich Headliner in Blue Sparkle Pearl
'49 WFL 6.5x14 Contest Snare
'55 Slingerland 7x14 Hollywood Ace Snare
'70's Premier PD2000 5x14 Snare
50's & 70's Zildjian/Paiste Cymbals
Posted on 12 years ago
#12
Posts: 802 Threads: 149

Hi...congrats on that set...i saw that one on EBAY and was going to bid on it, but I already have a resto on tape for 2012.

The bulges in the wrap are a real problem. the glue has dried up and the wrap has stretched. Hopefully one of our esteemed members has licked this problem without having to remove the wrap and regluing it (a huge, huge job).

Or you could just live with the bulges, shine up all the hardware, get all new heads and be done. i'm sure it would look fine...it looks good now!!

Posted on 12 years ago
#13
Posts: 1432 Threads: 110

Hi and Welcome,

Conc. the bass drum hoops: I would just blanked the inlays with tape and colour the wood black (can't recommend a special US-brand as I'm from Germany). Even e black felt pen can make use for lottle spots.

Conc. the bulges: it's better to leave it as it is. Stripping off the wrap is absolutely not recommendable and may lead to bigger problems only afterwards.

You may CAREFULLY use a hair dryer to warm up the bulges and try to press it down again - but again: be very careful. Those old celluloid wraps may start to burn due to their very low firing temperature ...

So better leave it as it is: the shape of the wrap itself makes the bulges nearly invisible: isn't it?

Enjoy the restoration!

Ralf (who would use 00 steel wool to make the steel hoops shiny again ;) and that's all I would do with the hoops - I don't think that a replacement is absolutely necessary)

Vintage STAR (= Pre-Tama) website: www.star-drums.de
Posted on 12 years ago
#14
Posts: 5227 Threads: 555

Hi Brian, Welcome...To this great forum!!!..I just sent you a P/M on the parts..Now onto the wrap problem i would leave it alone..These wraps on these vintage M.I.J. sets are known for this problem and are hard to fix 9 times out of 10 it will not work and you may make the wrap as mot as looking good then before...Mikey

Posted on 12 years ago
#15
Posts: 2349 Threads: 79

Sweet kit!

I agree with Ralf and Mikey. Those MIJ wraps are very thin, not like US or Euro wraps. (I'm not counting the former Eastern Bloc wraps with the Euro's. I've no idea about them.)

I have a MIJ snare that had a pretty icky wrap, not worth saving at all. I experimented with a heat gun (low setting) to see what it would do for bulges. Instant fail.

Just leave 'em.

Depending on the degree of corrosion and / or rust I use steel wool to clean up the metal. If the plating is thin, and not in bad shape I'll use gewelers rouge (yellow and red) and a cotton buffing wheel.

Hmmm... gotta spell gewelers with a 'g' or it comes out like: ***elers

A tad hyper PC?

fishwaltz
Posted on 12 years ago
#16
Posts: 596 Threads: 25

Hi Brian, Welcome

Also agree with Ralf and Mikey. Be care with fan's warming and pressing warm perloid - through paper, not fingers directly.

From fishwaltz

I'm not counting the former Eastern Bloc wraps with the Euro's. I've no idea about them.

All the wrap types used in East Eu were from the same supplier as to West Eu - this was the zest of that era!! :)

George.

Posted on 12 years ago
#17
Posts: 425 Threads: 20

From fishwaltz

Hmmm... gotta spell gewelers with a 'g' or it comes out like: ***elersA tad hyper PC?

The understatement of the year....

Regards

Jon

Posted on 12 years ago
#18
Posts: 244 Threads: 25

From Ralf

Hi and Welcome,Conc. the bass drum hoops: I would just blanked the inlays with tape and colour the wood black (can't recommend a special US-brand as I'm from Germany). Even e black felt pen can make use for lottle spots.Conc. the bulges: it's better to leave it as it is... the shape of the wrap itself makes the bulges nearly invisible: isn't it?Enjoy the restoration!Ralf (who would use 00 steel wool to make the steel hoops shiny again ;) and that's all I would do with the hoops - I don't think that a replacement is absolutely necessary)

Thanks, Ralph. I think I'll leave the bulges bulging. You're right, I couldnt even see the bulges until I was really close...of course i can't really see anything anymore without glasses on...damn old age:(

So I'll just sand down the rough bits on the hoops and use a paint pen to make 'Em black again. I like the simplicity of that.

The chrome plating is peeling off the rims. I'll post photos.

Brian

'65/'66 Slingerland Stage Band in Red Sparkle Pearl
'67 Rogers Buddy Rich Headliner in Blue Sparkle Pearl
'49 WFL 6.5x14 Contest Snare
'55 Slingerland 7x14 Hollywood Ace Snare
'70's Premier PD2000 5x14 Snare
50's & 70's Zildjian/Paiste Cymbals
Posted on 12 years ago
#19
Posts: 2349 Threads: 79

From Father-42

Hi Brian, WelcomeAlso agree with Ralf and Mikey. Be care with fan's warming and pressing warm perloid - through paper, not fingers directly.All the wrap types used in East Eu were from the same supplier as to West Eu - this was the zest of that era!! :)George.

Hi George. Well now, that is interesting! You know what could be even more interesting, make a new thread that gives a quality rating to Eastern Euro drums. I think that would be fascinating! Maybe rate them on shell, wrap and hardware.

If I say 'pretty please with sugar on top' would you do it? :)

Thanks one way or the other!

Craig

fishwaltz
Posted on 12 years ago
#20
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