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Buffing and Polishing Ludwig Stainless Steel Drums Last viewed: 3 hours ago

Posts: 119 Threads: 25

So I know that there are some Stainless Gurus out there and a recent, and very complicated trade, got me a stainless set with a 26" bass drum...so now I have a 26,13,14,16,18. The drums are in great shape from a few feet away. There are only a couple of pencil tipped dings in a 2 or 3 drums. The bass drum surprisingly doesn't have any dings but does have some light scratching here and there. No real gouges but definitely scratches. I tried a rotary buffer which definitely shines up the drums well but seems to accentuate the scratches. Now I feel like they have to be removed before I put a full blown effort into the drums. I have watched a bunch of videos and it seems like most stainless work has to go through a multi step process, and usually the first step makes it look worse. I don't know if I have it in me to do it. Maybe there is a place to send the shells and get the light scratches buffed out?? Any info would be greatly appreciated. I just don't want to go out and buy a buffer with a long extension arbor just to screw them up, but if it's not that bad...I would give it a shot.

Thanks

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trini...46?ref=tn_tnmn
Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Congrats on joining a very elite club. not a lot of us 14x26" Stainless steel bass drums running around.A marine boat repair company that woks on marine grade stainless steel. sorry don't know any off hand.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Look for a local Plating shop. They all do professional metal polishing. Get estimates from two or three places and pick your best offer. Ask about turn-around time! These shops are busy and sometimes you have to wait a month or more for your project to come up in the rotation. Ask!

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 119 Threads: 25

Thanks for the info guys...I think a metal plating place is going to be my nearest option. I do have a Metal fabrication company right in the town that I live in. I have heard that they have some pretty state of the art equipment. Might be worth a visit.

Would you guys remove the badges before the shells were dropped off at a place? The numbers on the badges are all very close and I would hate anything to accidentally happen to them.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trini...46?ref=tn_tnmn
Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 2255 Threads: 263

Sweet lord! Trinity! The drums you have on your facebook!...Have you performed the restoration yourself?

http://www.vintagedrumbug.com/
Cause you got the bug dont'cha?
https://www.facebook.com/VintageDrumBug
https://twitter.com/VintageDrumBug
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 119 Threads: 25

From vintage drum bug

Sweet lord! Trinity! The drums you have on your facebook!...Have you performed the restoration yourself?

Thanks for the kind words....Most of it is just cleaning/polishing. But, it keeps me busy. I think I'm going to start putting pics on tonight of projects before cleaning.....thanks again!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trini...46?ref=tn_tnmn
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From bcarey13

Thanks for the info guys...I think a metal plating place is going to be my nearest option. I do have a Metal fabrication company right in the town that I live in. I have heard that they have some pretty state of the art equipment. Might be worth a visit.Would you guys remove the badges before the shells were dropped off at a place? The numbers on the badges are all very close and I would hate anything to accidentally happen to them.

Most certainly remove your badges.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 119 Threads: 25

From vintagemore2000

Most certainly remove your badges.

Ok, will do..thanks. So a follow up question to that would be. Where do I get the grommets that are shallow enough to attach the badges back to the Stainless? Does anyone make one that works well? Or do I need to grind down longer grommets?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trini...46?ref=tn_tnmn
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

From bcarey13

Ok, will do..thanks. So a follow up question to that would be. Where do I get the grommets that are shallow enough to attach the badges back to the Stainless? Does anyone make one that works well? Or do I need to grind down longer grommets?

I did have a supplier at one time that had the shorter grommets, sorry can't remember who that was ? check around with precision, drum maker, etc ! before you have them polished.

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 6170 Threads: 255

wouldn't that kill some of the value of the drums that the badges have been removed and reinstalled? in my opinion,certainly. thought that was a big no no with us collectors..

mike

Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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