Have done this with old Zildjian cymbals and personally kicked myself in the butt.Carry on my friend as best you can, as you can`t turn back the hands of time.But my heart goes out to you, as i well remember how i felt when i did the same.Good drum folks will know the date inspite of the error.We`re all in this together...
Wayne
If something like this hasn't happened to you then you must have dirty drums.LoLoLoLo
thanks Wayne and Gonedrums, feeling better now
Is this only on painted interior drums? I have to wonder if it's because the old dye based ink they used back then can't absorb into the wood when it's painted? It can only dry by oxidation which will make it easy to rub off. As the ink will never really dry and cure as designed. It just "chalks" as I call it. Add 40-50+ years of age and they are very fragile I'd think. I think Creighton is a rubber stamp guy hopefully he can chime in. I know it's only original "once" but has anyone tried to restamp a date that's been wiped off?
If something like this hasn't happened to you then you must have dirty drums.LoLoLoLo
Yeah, but why clean the INSIDE?!?!? I mean, unless the drums were mistreated and used in a smoky environment, or worse yet, used as concert toms!
That's one of the criteria I use to look at vintage drums--are the insides dirty/smelly? If so, that's a deal-breaker. No thank you.
Is this only on painted interior drums? I have to wonder if it's because the old dye based ink they used back then can't absorb into the wood when it's painted? It can only dry by oxidation which will make it easy to rub off. As the ink will never really dry and cure as designed. It just "chalks" as I call it. Add 40-50+ years of age and they are very fragile I'd think. I think Creighton is a rubber stamp guy hopefully he can chime in. I know it's only original "once" but has anyone tried to restamp a date that's been wiped off?
This occurred to me last night. I remembered seeing an old date stamper lying around and figured I could re-stamp it. I just have to remember where I saw the stamp.
You are right about the ink. There is every chance I would have smudged with my fingers whilst cleaning the outside. It disappeared with the slightest wipe.
Caddywumpus - It wasn't dirty and I wish I had left it alone now. It just had a bit of dust etc from 50 years of existence.
BTW, here's the drum in question. Looks really nice after the clean up.
That is a really nice drum. It's too bad about the date stamp. I would just lightly circle the real faint date that's left with a pencil so you can identify where it's at. I don't think it's worth worrying about after that. People can tell by looking at it aprox how old it is and can see what a beautiful drum it is.
you've got some seriously nice detailing skills Andrew. you've shown some beautiful drums lately. well done..
mike
Great drum and wonderful restoration.
Odd that the date stamp would wipe off. We learn from this. Appears water based ink was used at the factory. It is quite a bit less expensive than real ink. Curious they would take the time to stamp a date that everybody knows won't last.
Per restamping the date. I can help you with that. Exact font/numeral match would take some time and can be a bit spendy. If all you want to do is replace the date...
Sounds like you have a rotating date stamp. Heat set ink will last forever. Just send me a PM or email to:[email protected] and will get this sorted.
Creighton
That is a beautiful restore. I would consider either re-stamping with a rotating date stamp, keeping a note inside the drum with the date or simply keeping a record of the date with a close up photo of what's left of the date stamp. I don't think I would do anything else to change the original value of the drum.
I certainly would not suggest beating yourself up over that. You have invested the necessary time and skill set to bring an old drum back to it's former glory. In the big picture the date stamp is a very small part of that.
