OK. You have done your research, and had many suggestions of what to do. Now, it comes down to only three courses of action as I see it.

1. clean them, and keep them as they are

2. strip off the wrap, and rewrap in your choice of finishes

3. strip off the wrap and paint the shells in any color (I think that an auto painter would be best)

Some people would do a fourth option that I think rarely has an attractive result. If the shells are stripped, sanded, clear-coated or stained, they will almost always look like some amateur stripped, sanded, clear-coated, or stained an old drum set.

I'm just impressed that this drum kit made it all the way to the Faroe Islands. We should probably keep this in mind when suggesting fixes because I'm pretty sure the OP pays expensively for shipping!

So, stripping, sanding, and painting in a gloss type paint used on cars or bicycles should be the most economical way to go.

Plus one on leedy`s suggestion. Can hide all the surgery.

Sand and prime with White (brighter finish) or gray (darker finish) and always remove grommet from inside, never touch the front, the badge just falls off gently when the grommet is out, unless you step on it, wont get damaged and keeps it`s contour.

Just a point of information.The M (for maple) stamp on the interior of the drum meant that the outer ply was maple,and suitable for stain/lacquer paint or duco finish.Mahogany as an outer layer,was not suitable for staining/painting as the grain was too porous.Slingerland stopped using walnut decades ago,so those shells are maple/ poplar/mahogany.Other combination were also possible,but the outer ply would have been maple.

If the interior stamp was P (for pearl wrap),then the outer ply was most likely mahogany,which held glue better than maple,as was destined to be wrapped.

Steve B

The heads on the toms fit really badly so I think I have to take of the wrap. If that helps I will not put new wrap on. The kick just needs the white paint removed. If the color difference is too big from the toms to the kick I might have them painted in some nice colour. If they look similar in color I will clear-laquer them. I have done 2 ludwig kits before. Here is my last ludwig kit project. (see photos)

I had this kit with me from Denmark last month. I have no idea where that guy got it originally. My other vintage stuff I get from ebay in US or Germany... Very expensive shipping cost from both countries.