Restoring a snare drum

[eddiehimself]

hi guys i'm wondering if i should bother restoring this snare drum, it's an old 70s premier olympic that i got for £50. It's all rusty though, i was figuring i could sand off all the rust and polish it to a shine again, will that work or is it more complicated? How much do you think it would be to restore and how much would it be worth afterwards? Is it worth it or should i not bother?

Pics:

http://industrialunittolet.co.uk/P1000447.JPG

http://industrialunittolet.co.uk/P1000448.JPG

And while we're may as well ask if you think £50 was a good price ($100 but everythings so expensive here in actual terms it's about $60 or $70).

[Batera945]

well it seems like its a hand hammered snare which probly sounds pretty good... dont worry abuout the hoops becaus you can just replace them. And im sure you can find some workshop that will remove the rust for you cheap. If the snare ends up looking good afterwards you can sell it for a much higher price... or keep it.

[bojangleman]

Do it! i know a guy with that snare and i love it soo much.(trying to buy it from him!) it shouldnt take much to get that looking nice. i would say you try restoring it before you take it to a pro. so if you finish it, you can have before and after pics and show all your friends what you did! :p lol

Alex

[eddiehimself]

Ok well i took the drum apart and i realised that there are a lot of bits where it's rusted through the chrome so i think i'll have to get it re-chromed. Dunno how much it will cost tho. I'm gonna ask for a quote from a chrome plater. Thanks 4 the help btw guys :)

[eddiehimself]

right they gave a rough quote of £50-100. That'll be on top of the price of new heads and snares. Will it be worth more than £150 when restored?

[baz]

...Eddie.


If you were to put that kind of money into it, I doubt that you would get that money back.

My advice for these kinds of dilemas will always be to see what you can do yourself. I had a cymbal stand that was all rusted and scratched that I was this close to throwing out. What I did instead was I sanded it down until it looked like a brushed chrome finish. You could probably do the same with your shell and hardware. That would be the cheapest solution, and you may be surprised at the result. If you do not like it, you could then have it refinished, or maybe even give it a couple of coats of Tremclad, or some other type of metal paint.

This board is full of people who have through nessecity done wonderfull and innovative restoration work. There is a great feeling of pride in being self sufficiant.

Good luck and good drumming.

Barry

[aydee]

Do look up what the poster below me ( baz ) has done with an old snare drum. Might be inspirational.

[mind_drummer]

I'd do it but with a cheaper snare...

Although if you have it now, try Elbow grease for the shell and coca-cola for hardware (dip the hardware and leave there for 1 hour then take a look and if need to be longer leave them longer) to remove the rust. Dont use sanding paper please, it will be worst. I seen people having good result doing so.

Good luck

[eddiehimself]

I'd do it but with a cheaper snare...

Although if you have it now, try Elbow grease for the shell and coca-cola for hardware (dip the hardware and leave there for 1 hour then take a look and if need to be longer leave them longer) to remove the rust. Dont use sanding paper please, it will be worst. I seen people having good result doing so.

Good luck

hmm that might not be such a bad idea actually. But as for the shell it really is in bad nick, it's rusted through the chrome in some parts. There's no way i can get it looking nice again unless i get it re-chromed.