John, this has nothing to do with trusting you, believe it or not, I have heard of this, but I've never seen anyone use this method on a vintage kit.
What does it matter if anybody, or nobody else has ever used it? It's a (possible) solution to the problem you posed. It doesn't always work, but it -does work- sometimes depending on the drum. I thought you needed a solution, I just didn't know it had to be one that matched the qualifier of being a technique that has been used on vintage drums by other people you know.
Just trying to help, man. No big deal. Free advice is worth every penny you pay for it. Take it or leave it, your call.
John