I have a blue/green badge Acrolite, probably 80's but its kind of scratched etc. The finish isn't that nice. I'm thinking of doing something creative with it. I saw that some acro's were powder coated. (light blue?, white, black, etc.)
Wondering if painting (professionally) kills the value or increases it. I'd really like to do something different. My friend paints motorcycles and I asked if he could suggest some ideas.
Anyone have any ideas for paint jobs? Is this sacrilege?
IMO,Acrolites come a dime a dozen so it would'nt be no loss if you refinished one. In fact I was in a hobby store and Krylon has some cool glitter spray paint that i may try on a B/O acrolite I have lying around.
If you figure that drum is worth about $100 or less if it's in rough cosmetic shape, putting a professional finish on it can only add or maintain the value. Value is really determined on what someone is willing to pay for it, so if you can have it painted properly, with good materials and a desirable color (not like bright purple) I'd say you won't get hurt. Having it done at a shop will get a good result with minimal material build on account of the spray equipment and pro methods versus a rattle can job.......you're gonna wanna keep an Acrolite in your arsenal anyway so make it look pretty and enjoy it!
I just did the same thing; look for my '79 Supraphonic Restoration thread.
Great input, kind of what I was hoping to hear. I'm actually thinking of an olive sparkle or maybe even yellow/gold sparkle? not sure.
I recently picked up another one for $50 in moderate shape. I am thinking I am going to have the aluminum polished on it and possibly add some tube lugs.
I also have a 5" Supra that had flaked badly so it was reprinted black at an auto body shop. It looks great, sounds great and is often mistaken for a Black Beauty.
Acrolites are great drums, especially for the money. There are tons of them out there and, with the exception of the 6 1/2" deep NYC school models, they are cheap. Make it great.
Make it a John Deere drum, green and yellow! LOL ! I say that because I was just telling my wife how it wouldbe kind cool to take one of my old mij kits and make it a JD kit and take it to the Chicago show. Folks around here would ape for it, especially at the farmers market! LOL !
Okay, seriously now. I agree with the redneck, they are a dime a dozen, go for it. But think about the JD drum OK? LOL.
Make it a John Deere drum, green and yellow! LOL ! I say that because I was just telling my wife how it wouldbe kind cool to take one of my old mij kits and make it a JD kit and take it to the Chicago show. Folks around here would ape for it, especially at the farmers market! LOL !Okay, seriously now. I agree with the redneck, they are a dime a dozen, go for it. But think about the JD drum OK? LOL.
I bet they would go nuts where you are, being 10 minutes away from the HQ. A bunch of folks back there with roots in that company. I have a buddy with a Harley painted up with JD colors. Looks cool.
My son found a badly pitted Acro w/punky lug casings.I stripped it down,shot it with red primer and flat clearcoat,and used some Imperial lugs I had laying around-Rat Rod Acro!
I think the John Deere scheme would be a real eye-catcher, but I'm a little partial to Woodland Camo...
[Attachment: 56884]
If the hardware and wrap are irreparably shot on a MIJ or uncollectable Ludwig snare, I say show a little artistic license and breathe new life into an unrestorable carcass.
I think the John Deere scheme would be a real eye-catcher, but I'm a little partial to Woodland Camo...[Attachment: 56884]If the hardware and wrap are irreparably shot on a MIJ or uncollectable Ludwig snare, I say show a little artistic license and breathe new life into an unrestorable carcass.
I will take that as permission to start the project!
