9/4/12

I stripped the bass drum apart. removed heads. Going to clean the chrome up really good piece by piece. I usually soak the chrome in WD 40 then use brasso on it. If its really bad then some steel wool but thats the last resort.

The 1st problem I have encountered is a crack on the inside. Not sure what do do with this. It doesnt go all the way through but i dont like that its by the floor leg. Would you leave it.? Was thinking about some wood epoxy .

[IMG]http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/Fatchoppers01/IMG_4972.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/Fatchoppers01/IMG_4971.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/Fatchoppers01/IMG_4969.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/Fatchoppers01/IMG_4970.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/Fatchoppers01/IMG_4967.jpg[/IMG]

Welcome to the forum. That kit will clean up quite nicely. There are plenty of threads here on cleaning chrome. What I typically do for the finish is to strip off all the hardware and then clean the shell with soap and water. I try to not let the interior get wet as I am not "drenching" them. Once it is rinsed and dried off I find any fairly deep scratches and use Novus #3 to address those. I then go over the entire shell with Novus #2 and finally polish with Novus #1. At that point your shells will look outstanding!

Soap and water sounds great. I also feel the wrap will clean up nice.

I didnt know about the Novis thanks a million!!

Oh you lucky devil! you have what I want there. Love the blue oyster pearl wrap, one of Ludwigs best ever. So now you know what to do with the wrap, I think those cracks on the inside could use a little glue injected into the crack and then some masking tape that is if the wood moves. If the wood is pretty stable around the crack then mabye just squirt a little glue in it to seal it up. Someone elese might have better advice but really not much you can do without some major surgery.

WD40? Im not sure I have heard of that. But I will tell you, soaking in Dawn dish soap for 24-48 hours will give amazing results. Also, I use KrudKutter for really grimey parts. Good luck, keep us up to date on the project please!

Jeff C

Welcome! Love that finish myself, can wait to see how it turns out. I have done some restoring myself, have fun. It's addictive!!

-Beau

JC you think tape would do it. I was thinking, Wood glue and a clamp

i guess everyone agrees not to leave it alone

Thanks CIB . I will update as the progress gos. :)Cool1

If you have a clamp that will reach in there then ya much better than tape. If it dosent take much pressure to push the veneer down then tape might work. But if it does take some pressure then, yes clamp it somehow. YOu could use a thin ( 1/4") dowel rod to wedge inside of the shell to hold it down.

Jeff C

Fatchoppers,

This is what I would do,

That area isn`t too big, I would wet a sponge and squeeze out the water till it`s almost damp. Place the sponge on the area, or sponges and let them sit there for about 4 hours. (wet the tops if nessecarry)

After removeing the sponges, take Elmer`s water based wood glue (shake the glue well) and make a line on the wet cracking. Then take an old toothbrush and work the glue under the cracks. take your time and used a few bristles to get in there.

Then take a new piece of Aluminum foil (it can wrinkle a little bit) and cover the wet area`s while the glue is still wet. Now you can use a thin piece of wood or a thin piece of plastic that covers the areas. Use a bunch of clamps to fourm the thin piece over the area flat because it`s curved. PROTECT THE OTHER SIDE TOO !!

After it dries for at least 24HR., more is better, you can remove the clamps and thin piece, then the foil (some can stick) and use a kitchen sponge scrub side , dampened, to rub off the foil and extra glue.

All this may seem complicated but it`s not,...it`s quicker than most think to do. The idea is to soften the layer that`s lifting and use clamps to close the seams so to speak.