removing paint from wrap

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colors

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I have acquired a Rogers blue onyx kit that has been painted over black. why?!?!? The good news is that there are no extra holes and the wrap seams to be crack free with tight seems. I hope to remove the paint, which is just one thin, shiny layer. I can tell that all drum are matching just by scratching some paint off with my fingernail. I have an extra bass drum which is painted the same why and has extra holes, so this will be my 'test' drum, for trying out different methods. It seems that all paint removal products out there are not for use on acrylics, so I am taking suggestions for alternatives. I have also had some luck with a gently applied scrapper (in this case a dull flat head screw driver) which flakes the paint off into a fine dust and does not leave any major scratches on the wrap. I will give it the novus treatment after removal, but my best method so far will take me a day to do each drum. Anyone ever had such a project?
 
Sorry, I don't know anything about removing black paint from Rogers blue onyx wrap. But I did pretty good removing it from Rogers red onyx. :wink:

Lacquer thinner will safely and quickly remove the paint with no harm to the wrap. Do not scrape with any kind of blade. You should be able to wipe it off with a soft cloth. There's a whole thread on this somewhere in the archives. I'll see if I can dig it up for you.

Here's how mine turned out:
 
Try Pine-Sol. If your paint layer is thin enough to scratch off with a fingernail, the Pine-Sol should get through it well enough without endangering the wrap. Try a small section at a time and try to let it set on the surface for a few minutes before taking it off. The paint will determine how long it needs to sit before the paint will wipe off. No scraping needed.
 
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The Pine-Sol was a no go. Tried it this morning. How is a plastic putty knife for something like this? I want to avoid using chemicals if I can, cause I don't have space to do such until it gets warm out...late march at best.
 
peel away is an organic paint remover.i used it to remove thick layer's of black enamel on a snare wrap and was able to save the wrap.then i used armor all,it soaks into the plastic and revitalizes it,even the colors.you can try goof off if it's latex paint
 
colors said:
The Pine-Sol was a no go. Tried it this morning. How is a plastic putty knife for something like this? I want to avoid using chemicals if I can, cause I don't have space to do such until it gets warm out...late march at best.


Don't use the putty knife. You won't make any progress and you'll scratch up the shell. If the paint is lacquer-based (spray paint) it has a chemical base. The only thing that will effectively take it off is another chemical. With lacquer thinner (not mineral spirits, which is not effective), it took me about one hour to do the snare shell. Put on your old grubby coat, buy a shop apron if need be, and go outside to do it. Even if you can handle 15 minutes at a time, that's still progress. Come in and warm up. Then wipe down the shell with warm, soapy water to remove any thinner residue.

You'll get it done. Good luck!
 
I have had no luck with goof-off, pine sol and now lacquer thinner. I am beginning to believe that my technique is suspect. Could anyone that has had success please weigh in to tell me how long you leave the solution on the drum, how much rubbing and how long it generally would take to do a 3 inch section. I am stumped.
 
I just recently removed an ugly paint job from a WMP Slingerland tom by using a heat gun and a rag. Apply heat to a small area, not too much, just enough that when you rub that area with the cloth, (use a fair amount of pressure) the paint comes off. Once you get moving around the drum, because the heat travels, the job gets easier. Took a while and my fingers got hot a few times from rubbing, but it eventually all came off without hurting the wrap. After that, just clean, polish and buff.
 
While you're at the hardware store scoping out a heat gun, bring the drum along and ask the paint guys whether it's lacquer or latex. My hunch is it might be latex, since lacquer thinner didn't work. You used actual lacquer thinner, right? Paint thinner or mineral spirits aren't very effective at removing dried paint.
 
i got the lacquer thinner to work a bit thanks guys. it just may take me longer than expected.
 
Be careful with the heat gun if you elect to go that route.

If you use a heat gun as a means to heat the glue in order to peel away an old wrap, there is not much you can do wrong in the process. You can't really hurt the shell.

However a good heat gun (like the Milwaukee sold at Home Depot) being used to loosen up paint on top of a plastic warp could easily heat the plastic wrap to the point of damage. I'd hate to think that you spent a ton of time cleaning this drum only to blister the finish as you git near the end of the process.

Be careful and take your time.
 
the organic "green stripper" that people now use to strip paint off wood in houses sounds like the way to go.it has low-if any VOC,and come off real easy.the citric acid is what does the work-not chemically like most strippers.try using a PLASTIC putty knife.again be carful.since you can scratch the paint with your finger,it should come up with no problem.maybe even put some on a rag and remove that way.

unless someone used different kinds of black paint (i.e. water soluable,enamel,etc...) that me be a problem.i used acitone on my 60's ludwig floor.HOWEVER,most gus here would be dead against it.and i would to,but i've had years of experience using acitone for different applications.remember,that wrap is probibly pourus.so whatever you use may seep into the wrap.

i also used a car cleaner/polish called TR3.ita a blue and grey can that you can get at a auto parts store.that worked for me for a few customers drum kits i repaired.then for whatever i used,i was able to buff out any exsisting scuffs or scratches on wraps or acrylic using the shops high RPM buffer and made them like new.we use it to buff out the gloss finish drum orders.
 
69OysterBlue said:
Be careful with the heat gun if you elect to go that route.

If you use a heat gun as a means to heat the glue in order to peel away an old wrap, there is not much you can do wrong in the process. You can't really hurt the shell.

However a good heat gun (like the Milwaukee sold at Home Depot) being used to loosen up paint on top of a plastic warp could easily heat the plastic wrap to the point of damage. I'd hate to think that you spent a ton of time cleaning this drum only to blister the finish as you git near the end of the process.

Be careful and take your time.
Click to expand...
Totally agree. My heat gun will melt 1/4" thick acrylic in seconds. I'd be very cautious about using a heat gun on a wrapped finish.
 
Hi guys ,
I have a 50's radio king tom that has been painted over black. I'm trying to save the wrap underneath (gold sparkle) but it seems as though every product I've used (including the 3m safest stripper, which i had to order from the states as i'm in Canada) is either ineffective or has made the wrap soft/ gummy and now I've dug into the wrap a bit unfortunately. super frustrating as you all know. it was a military drum and i'm wondering what the hell kind of paint this could possible be ...lacquer thinner doesn't seem to work ...i'm totally frustrated and at a loss. i feel like i could save it if i put in a bunch more work, any help would appreciated. thanks very much!

also...any help on possibly restoring the wrap would be great if i can manage to get all the paint off ...
 
I have used lacquer thinner and abrasive pads to get paint off of wrap. Follow up with Novus. Takes a bit of rubbing.
 
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