We kick off part 1 of our 3-part series on drum kit makeovers by focusing on restoring drums.

Drummer Talk Mailbag

From Dov,

Hey, I’m a long-time listener, and loved episode 251. I started playing drums about 6 or 7 years ago, and, living in an apartment, went with a Roland TD-4 as my kit (the original, not the current one). Like the current TD-11K (http://www.roland.com/products/td-11k), it has a mesh head for the snare, but rubber everyplace else. I played an acoustic kit during my weekly lessons, but other than that, I have only played the V-Drums. Is there anything I should keep in mind, when I eventually start playing an acoustic kit more frequently? Any bad habits to look out for, or ways in which I may need to compensate?

News

Father of U2 Drummer Passes Away

All That Remains Drummer Sidelined By Dental Injury

Science Shows Drummers Are Fitter and Happier Than Everyone Else

Phil Rudd Pleads Guilty to Charges

AC/DC Drummer to Host Clinic in Dublin

Neon Trees Drummer Pregnant

Topic Notes

Determine what type of wrapped kit you have.

Single glue seam – Sheet is wrapped around and glued with a single glue seam – Don’t restore replace

Full glue press – Glue is all the way around

Vintage wrap – etc. Old Nitrocellulose hardened plastic

Modern Wrap –  Delmar , vinyl , PVC

Pvc Sheet – Don’t try to restore replace _ think pearl forum, and export kits from the 80’s-early 2000’s

Hardware Vintage hardware is either nickel or metal chrome plated

For nickel hardware use brasso or LIQUID bar keepers friend

For chrome I like simple green and a dremel polishing bit – sorry if it’s pitted you’re kinda out of luck

Hoops use a Dremel polishing bit

For drying hard to reach places like Snare strainers I use compressed air to blow out the excess liquid

The Process

Start by light sanding 250-300 all the way around Key is light sanding taking off 1000 mics at a time

Move up by 200 grit every step 500 ,600, 800 , 1000, 3000, or jeweler’s rouge

Tools For restoring your drums

Dremel tool    Variable speed 5000 RPM’s

Cordless Detailing Polisher

Polishing Bits

Simple Green

Sandpaper

Sanding block

Rotary sander

Jewelers rouge

Car cutting  compound

Music from this week’s show

Neon Trees – Everybody Talks

Rush – One Little Victory: 2002 Original Mix, 2013 Remix

Neon Trees – Weekend

In closing…

Find out when new articles and next episodes hit by following us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/drummertalk) and Facebook (http://facebook.com/drummertalk)

Want to support Drummer Talk and help us to continue to bring news, reviews, articles, transcriptions, and videos to free to you? Please consider becoming a Drummer Talk patron. You can find out more information including patron rewards (like shout-outs, stickers, T-shirts, and more)  at drummertalk.org/support.  Patron levels start at just $1. Remember, every donation helps keep us on the air and ad free!

Have a topic suggestion or question for the show?  Let us know at www.drummertalk.org/contact

Next week: Drum Kit Makeover Part 2, Rewrapping