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Badges - to clean or not to clean? Last viewed: 1 hour ago

Posts: 728 Threads: 92

I began a restoration project today on a 1944-45 Slingerland Radio King that I got from my good friend Purdie Shuffle. It has the first aluminum cloud badge. Something possessed me to attempt to clean up the badge. It had some major grime (patina?) built up on it over the years. Used a bit of simichrome and began polishing. The badge shined up quickly to the point where it almost looks new. I now totally regret this of course and wish I had left the age on it :).

Anyway, just curious: do you guys clean up badges for restorations or leave them with character? Maybe this will save someone the regret I now feel.

James

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin
Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 6288 Threads: 375

I don't clean no stinkin badges........

Kevin
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

james

i think we all go throught this sort of thing in one way or another.

when i do a restoration on a drum, all i do with the badge is wipe it several times with the finish towel that i used to wipe the drum and the hardware down with. this gives it just a little sheen,not much. i think the fully polished badges stand out too much to me. but, since its aluminum and not coated, in time it will lose the luster and look like you want it to.

just my thoughts..

mike

Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 728 Threads: 92

I enjoyed these comments - funny, thoughtful, diverse. Thanks guys. Keep the comments coming if you are interested. Its nice to hear different viewpoints on this.

Thanks again,

James

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin
Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 1071 Threads: 128

From drumhack

I believe a restoration is just that, restoring it to what it looked like when it was made. They don't leave the oxidation on the paint when they restore them, they dont just brush over the 40 years of rust on a car fender, and they don't leave the faded, aged upholstery in that car either. they put it back to new condition and then call it restored. For whatever reason, drums/cymbals seem to have this stigma that restoring them means to wipe the dirt off and call them good, and doing anything aggressive to regain their former glory is a taboo. I am not saying that is wrong, but that does not meet the definition of a restoration. That is called a once-over, or a routine cleaning, or a name your cliche' I guess....... Just my :2Cents:Have a wonderful eveningGnR rocks!Drumhack Falling DoThe BandSoap BoxBurger Kinx-mas3

I agree with you 100% , There is a huge difference in cleaning up a kit to make it look nice and proper , and a full resto if needed be to have that kit looking and sounding fresh right out of the box. As for cymbals i think it's best to have them cleaned and polished by a pro that knows what he is doing to keep that cymbal fresh sounding like they were 10 , 20 , 30+ years ago , cuz they shure as hell did not sound like that back when they were new ,and i dont remember seeing buddy or any of the greats playing with mess up tarnished ,heavy soiled cymbals.

80's 13 pc sonor signature
1979 12 pc ludwig power factory
Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

I'm still on the fence waiting to be pushed. :) When I cleaned my RK bass shell I could see some of the patina come off the badge. It's so thick you could barely read the badge. I was just trying to clean it enough to ID it. Looks like it's brass. Maybe post a pic of yours to push me over the edge. Mind Blowi

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 280 Threads: 34

I'm somewhat on the fence with this. I have a few drums from the 70's that the badge is just a little dirty but I think it gives it some character but on the other hand I'm restoring a 50's Slingerland and I polished up the badge.

I think with a drum you really prize or want to display then cleaning and polishing every inch is important. If it's one that you gig with a quick wipe makes it look great. But, to each their own.

Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 728 Threads: 92

Heres a before pic, will post an after pic later today

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“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.” - Charles Darwin
Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 2115 Threads: 26

If you want to restore a drum, then restore it. If you are only going to clean it then that is fine as well, however, a cleaning is not a restoration in the traditional sense in my opinion.

tnsquint
Very proud owner of a new Blaemire Snare 6.5 x 14 made by Jerry Jenkins "Drumjinx"
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

I myself will detail the badge along with the rest of the drum if that's what I'm doing is a complete detailing job.

Here is a Note to all of you. on Slingerland Gold Cloud badges and the WFL 1955-59 gold center badges Do NOT Use Simichrome or any polishing agent on these two particular badges they have real gold and the polish will remove faster than you can say OH Scrap, you know what word I really mean, even Windex is not a good thing on these two particular badges. here is a 1936 Slingerland cloud badge nothing but very diluted dawn and lukewarm water and a very soft cotton cloth.

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Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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