need help with a DIY project

[fiqqo]

hi guys, i need some advice for my project to "zeng" my really old drum set. anyone out there got any advice to provide please feel free to share it here with me, i'll be glad to hear what you guys have to say. some of the things i'm considering doing are :

1) repainting of the hoops and chrome parts
2) replacing the screws and lugs
3) removing the wrap and painting the shells

i guess the help i would need is what kind of paint is appropriate for the hoops and chrome parts so that it doesn't chip off easily and what kind of method should i use, where can i find cheap screws and lugs cos i looked around and they range between $3-5 a piece which would add up to cost quite a bit, and of course what sort of paint is suitable for painting the shells and also the method to be used.

all your precious input will be greatly appreciated and i promise to put up pics of the end product if i somehow manage to pull this off.

oh and you have to hear this, i think my paiste 302 hi-hats sound better than my sabian hand-hammered hi-hats. I'm NUTS!

 

[ceing]

The first 2 sounds managable but repainting the whole shell? Sounds like there's some hardwork to be done.

I think its more to ur own preference which cymbal's sound you like, it doesn't mean the more ex it is, the more u must like it. Anyway, if you dont like the sound of ur cymbals, you can always donate to soft or to the 'ceing' foundation to help me build up my cymbal collections. lol!

 

[fiqqo]

yeah well i got lots of free time now, just ORD a few weeks back and currently unemployed. nobody wants to hire me... job offers anyone? haha... so i thought maybe i should do something challenging and interesting to pass time until school starts in august.

anyway could be cos i'm so used to the sound of my 302's which are really great by the way but i'm such a sabian whore. they both sound wicked and now i can jam with 2 pairs of hats.

so no one out there got tips to share? i remember i read a thread a very long time ago abt some dude who DIY-ed his Pearl RT, looked really cool.

 

[spinninsticks]

hi fiqqo,

The link for which zhong showed some pictures of his modified rhythm traveller.

http://soft.com.sg/forum/gear-drums/24278-diy-section.html

On the 2nd page he also briefly describe how he went about doing the satin staining for the wood.

hope this helps.

 

[fiqqo]

thanks alot bro. that really helped alot.

 

[Nike]

Do not use regular spray paint, it chips after time.

 

[fiqqo]

thanks i'll be sure to take note of that, but do you know what would be a better substitute?

 

[Nike]

I'm sorry, no idea. Gotta check out with the store owner, he definitely knows he's stuff, lol.

 

[beboptang]

Hi Fiqqo,

Wow! You really want to go through the trouble of refreshing your drums yourself? You're a brave one!

Are your chrome parts corroded that you need to paint over them? Or is the shiny chrome stuff peeling or flaking off?

The only way to get your chrome parts to look the way that it did when you bought the drums, is through:
1) electroplating, if the part is gold or silver in colour. This is a tedious and hazardous (industrial) process.
2) powder-coating, if the part is any other colour than gold or silver. Also an industrial process.

All the lugs and lug holders of drums are electroplated or powder-coated, maybe that's why they cost a little more than simple screws sold at DIY shops.

Paints are basically pigments, so even a "shiny" silver spray paint available at DIY shops, usually yields a somewhat dull-looking silver result. So if you don't mind that look, then I guess paint is ok. Otherwise, buying replacement parts would be a less messy way of "renovating" your drumset.

If you are using paints to refresh your chrome parts and drum shells, try to use sprays and not paintbrush (remember Airfix? Airbrushing is always best). And you'll need a good lacquer coat after painting, so that the paint doesn't chip off. You'll need a lot of space and fresh air ya?

You might wanna check with drum_hobbyist, I think he's into drum maintenance and stuff.


Beboptang

 

[jEva]

Do not use regular spray paint, it chips after time.

That is if you move your kit a lot. As for me, since I don't move kit that often, e.g. change configuration, the ordinary spray works just fine. BUT as Nike advised, it really CHIPS OFF very easily. So, be very careful.

You may have it powder coated. It will last longer than you think.