Hi all,

I found this cool old 3-ply bass drum - 11 3/8" x 24" with tube lugs and clamp-on spurs. It was shabbily recovered in thin plastic shelf liner.

I peeled it off, and we have a thin but tacky layer of contact cement.

Here's what I want to do:
- wrap the drum in maple or mahogany veneer and stain
- sand the hoops to natural and stain to match

What's my best course of action on the leftover cement? Should I sand it off? Try to remove it with a solvent? Leave it?

The veneer at my local store is not adhesive backed - can I get away with 2-sided tape if I use it generously, or should I use contact cement or wood glue to affix?

Thanks in advance for any advice provided - I really don't want to mess this up, but my skills aren't exactly professional level.

Hello, I always remove old adhesive, if its not there it wont cause trouble. Many guys on here use different products to remove it. I use lacquer thinner or Xylene.
I would not use douple sides tape to adhere the veneer. Either find a veneer with a PSA backing or use contact cement. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Originally Posted by jccabinets

Either find a veneer with a PSA backing or use contact cement.

Question for the master - why not wood glue?

Thanks,
Mitch

Thanks Jeff for the advice.

I wound up going with a birch veneer, and I removed all of the old adhesive from the drum with a strip solvent.

I did use contact cement, and while it was nerve wracking to make sure I had the shell and veneer lined up just right because it wouldn't reposition without wrecking the veneer, it came out pretty well. I also wrapped a 3-ply snare shell I had which was in the same state.

The hoops turned out to be more than I bargained for. They have lots of fairly deep digs from where cowbell mounts, clamp-on spurs, cymbal holders, etc. have been carelessly clamped for 60 or so years... so rather than try to smooth all of that out, I have decided to just paint them a solid color.

Here is a shot with the veneer mounted - next step is to file/sand the outside edge to smooth the edge of the veneer, stain, poly, then drill out the holes.

There is one area on the bottom of the bass drum where the contact cement must have dried too much before I applied it, so there is a bubble. I am thinking I will have to shoot some glue into the bubble with a needle/syringe... anyone done this?

Ken

a iron with a wet rag

Looks pretty great from here! Makes me want to try some veneer.

Yes, looks like a very good job!

nice job so far on the restoration. nothing like giving some old drums a new lease on life.

mike

What a great save! Nice job...

John

Just fill those hoop gouges and dents with some Elmers gouge wood filler, and sand it smooth, and paint . I have done it with several hoops. It's easy and really makes them look good.