Members rockbeat Posted April 11, 2012 Members Share Posted April 11, 2012 I recently picked up a 1969 Ludwig Acrolite snare drum at a garage sale for $30. I already have an older Acrolite and at that price I bought it with the intention of reselling it and making a little extra money. The problem is one of it's previous owners etched some kind of ID number into the side of the shell. Don't ask me why but they did. And don't ask me how I didn't notice it until I got it home but I didn't. I guess maybe I was a bit overly excited by the price. Does anyone know of any way I could possibly buff this out of the shell without marring it even worse...or is it just there for good? It doesn't appear to be real deep but it is deeper than a normal surface scratch. I can feel it when I rub my finger across it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cearleywine Posted April 12, 2012 Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 I bet it was a school keeping inventory, though I usually see stickers. If you do end up buffing it out, you'll probably have to do the whole shell to match. If it doesn't bother you, you could just sell your other. But as 60's are the most sought after acros, you probably won't have much trouble selling it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crusher Posted April 12, 2012 Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 Pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted April 12, 2012 Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 RB how ya been? DWs the only guy left from that era. Same ole tho. You could take that thing to a welder, have it filled and blasted maybe but you got a unique ID as is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rockbeat Posted April 12, 2012 Author Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 Hey, 1001! I'm doing real good. I know I've been pretty scarce. I still know where to turn when I have one of my oddball questions though. I was wondering who might still be lurking about. I think I'll start checking in more often.As far as the snare...I may keep it. Cleaned it up last night and started getting attached to the little fella. Might try to post some pics later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members irnbru83 Posted April 12, 2012 Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 Pics or it didn't happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FitchFY Posted April 12, 2012 Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 Rockbeat! Whoa, long time no see! A thought - what about buffing down the whole shell and putting a nice metallic laquer on it and keeping it? I mean, $30... about $15 in supplies and you have a customized Ludwig Acrolite. There's a few threads lately about painting snares -- check `em out! (My attempt is still in the 'working on it' phase) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members irnbru83 Posted April 12, 2012 Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 That the same as the "There's No Way in Hell This Will Ever Get Finished" phase? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members irnbru83 Posted April 12, 2012 Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 Am I being a dumby when I point out 005.jpg shows a badge that's squint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rockbeat Posted April 12, 2012 Author Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 Pics. I think this thing even has the original heads on it. Oops. Tried to edit my post and deleted the whole thing. The stand is original too, as is the case it came in...an old suitcase style case.Yes...the badge is a bit crooked...if that's what you mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rockbeat Posted April 12, 2012 Author Members Share Posted April 12, 2012 BTW- hiya, Fitch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rockbeat Posted April 13, 2012 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2012 Okay, I've decided to go ahead and put it up for sale as is and see what happens. But I'm really intrigued by the custom paint job idea for my '76 Acrolite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cearleywine Posted April 13, 2012 Members Share Posted April 13, 2012 But I'm really intrigued by the custom paint job idea for my '76 Acrolite. Here's the one I refinished. http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2846895-70-s-Ludwig-Acrolite-refinishFun project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rockbeat Posted April 13, 2012 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2012 Dude! That looks fantastic! How much experience did you have? I mean, was this the first time you ever did something like that? I'm way impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cearleywine Posted April 13, 2012 Members Share Posted April 13, 2012 Dude! That looks fantastic! How much experience did you have? I mean, was this the first time you ever did something like that? I'm way impressed. Thanks. I did one drum prior, a 10" tom I converted into a snare though I didn't use gloss then. I just used standard spray techniques, don't go too thick and do light/even sweeping coats. I'm going to try this on one of my kits later this summer directly over the wrap, I'll be sure to post the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NBarnes21 Posted April 13, 2012 Members Share Posted April 13, 2012 Here's the one I refinished. http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2846895-70-s-Ludwig-Acrolite-refinishFun project. well done sir Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members race81 Posted April 13, 2012 Members Share Posted April 13, 2012 It would take some work but I believe you could get those marks out of there. Does the aluminum shell have a clearcoat on it?? If so I would strip it and then sand the etching out of the shell. Then have it bead blasted and then re-cleared. Not sure the time and cost would rectify itself in a resale or not......just a few thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boomerweps Posted April 13, 2012 Members Share Posted April 13, 2012 I think you clean that snare up pretty well by yourself. Fisrt clean the clearcoat off then pick up a buffing kit for aluminum wheels at your local auto store. After that the final finish is up to you. You may not get all the scratched in serial number off but it would be significantly subdues and far less noticeable.Bonus, any self repaired or customized drum item will be a great source of bragging rights ;>) Boomerweps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rockbeat Posted April 13, 2012 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2012 I decided to sell it as is. I put it on ebay and it was sold in less than 5 minutes...literally. Made a nice little profit ont it.Hey, cearleywine. This may be a silly question but since I've never played on a metal snare with a painted shell I have to ask. Was there any noticable change in the overall sound of the drum after you painted it?Oh...nevermind. I guess I should have read the thread with the pics before asking my silly question.One more question though...what did you use for primer? I went on the Krylon site and the only primer I saw was "paint+primer". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cearleywine Posted April 14, 2012 Members Share Posted April 14, 2012 Yes, it was the krylon paint+primer spray. When I try it on the wrap I'm going to use the krylon fusion stuff that's made for plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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