Previous in Forum: What Is It?   Next in Forum: Is LA on Fire??? What Is This?
Close
Close
Close
33 comments
Rate Comments: Nested
Associate

Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Good Answers: 1

Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/08/2016 4:33 AM

Serious. Time to clean and polish the snare drum. Black chrome so he sais. Using Silvo, which is a product to clean silver and chrome. It is leaving a film on the black area. Blotchy, very thin not eating into the black brass sides but does not look clean. Touchy drummer, I repair violins. Need suggestions. Jan

Register to Reply
Pathfinder Tags: clean. snare drum
Interested in this topic? By joining CR4 you can "subscribe" to
this discussion and receive notification when new comments are added.

"Almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, vote them!
Guru
Technical Fields - Technical Writing - New Member Engineering Fields - Piping Design Engineering - New Member

Join Date: May 2009
Location: Richland, WA, USA
Posts: 21017
Good Answers: 795
#1

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 5:48 AM

Maybe Brasso would be better. Or jeweler's rouge. Or Comet. Or....

__________________
In vino veritas; in cervisia carmen; in aqua E. coli.
Register to Reply
Associate

Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Good Answers: 1
#3
In reply to #1

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 7:15 AM

Thanks Tornado. I have jeweler's rouge. See if I can get that to work. It is a valuable snare Ludwig. After investigation, it is a toss up whether to clean it or let it be for historic value. Thanks for replying. Jan

Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
Good Answers: 1693
#2

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 6:34 AM

Try removing the film with acetone or methyl ethyl ketone.

Then maybe try a liquid automotive polish. Or, try the polish first.

Register to Reply
Associate

Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Good Answers: 1
#4
In reply to #2

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 7:22 AM

Lyn, do you think these products will remove the black pain under the lacquer. What is methyl ethyl ketone.? I can see the point in using automotive polish. We used that on cheap violins that have nitro cellulose varnish on them. A polish that had no silicone in it. That was my boss's idea and instruction. I think Hunter is looking at leaving it be. In the too hard basket. Fearfull of damaging his loving Black Beauty. Thanks for contributing. Jan

Register to Reply
Guru
United States - Member - New Member

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: In the pool because it is too hot.
Posts: 3054
Good Answers: 141
#5
In reply to #4

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 8:55 AM

You surely don't want to use MEK or acetone, since your black will be damaged.

Though it will look more antique or in the worst scenario weird.

Tip: dismantle your snare drum completely and polish the chrome while NOT on the drum. Maintain your drum afterwards with some mild polish.

__________________
Plenty of room here
Register to Reply
Associate

Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Good Answers: 1
#19
In reply to #5

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/09/2016 10:49 AM

Thank you dvmdsc, nice to be sure of the stuff, not to use. These things can be tricky. We don't want weird. Or the blood pressure going up either. Thanks again, Jan

Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
Good Answers: 1693
#7
In reply to #4

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 10:57 AM

Wait!!!!My suggestion was for chrome plating (Black chrome you said) not paint or varnish. MEK is a strong solvent much like acetone, sort of like nail polish remover and will definitely remove the coating.

Try the auto polish on a small spot, or just leave it alone and call it patina.

Good luck.

SE, mine's prettier than yours!!

Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#8
In reply to #7

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 11:36 AM

That soup can?! Hah!

__________________
All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
Good Answers: 1693
#9
In reply to #8

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 11:53 AM

Take that trash away!

Ringo Starr's Gold Drum on Display at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#10
In reply to #9

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 12:06 PM

Gold has no resonance...better to beat on a hollow log...

__________________
All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
Good Answers: 1693
#11
In reply to #10

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 12:24 PM

That thing would make a better looking lampshade in a whorehouse than a snare drum.

Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#12
In reply to #11

Re: clean and polish black beauty snare drum. Help

05/08/2016 12:39 PM

cue snare...

__________________
All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#6

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/08/2016 10:57 AM

Maybe use a light mineral oil, or WD-40 with a microfiber towel....be sure to wipe excess off...

__________________
All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Sebastopol, California
Posts: 1205
Good Answers: 54
#13

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 12:02 AM

Simicrome Polish. Won't eat anything and cleans and shines like new. Heavily used by antique dealers everywhere.

__________________
Most people are mostly good most of the time.
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Associate

Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Good Answers: 1
#18
In reply to #13

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 10:46 AM

Hi Beefburger, thank you for contributing. I shall tell my friend Louise who should be able to get some for me. I have not seen this product name over here in Brisbane. No harm looking though. Thanks again, Jan

Register to Reply
Guru
Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - New Member Fans of Old Computers - Commodore 64 - New Member Popular Science - Evolution - New Member United States - Member - New Member

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Illinois, 7 county region (The 'blue dot' that drags the rest of the 'red state' around during presidential elections.)
Posts: 3683
Good Answers: 89
#14

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 9:28 AM

Looking at all the photos of the snare drums, I have a silly question:

How far down can a snare drum be disassembled? Can the black lacquered parts be separated from the chrome parts, so each could be cleaned and polished individually, and then the drum reassembled? Yes, it may be more work, but it would reduce the risk of damaging the finish, and with such a 'precious artifact' (at least in the eyes of the drummer) wouldn't the extra time (and cost) be worth it?

__________________
( The opinions espressed in this post may not reflect the true opinions of the poster, and may not reflect commonly accepted versions of reality. ) (If you are wondering: yes, I DO hope to live to be as old as my jokes.)
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
Good Answers: 1693
#15
In reply to #14

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 10:00 AM

All the way. Everything that looks like it will come apart, will.

The dis-assembly, re-assembly and tuning will add quite a bit to the cost.

the parts of a snare drum include the shell, drum heads, rims or hoops, lugs, tension rods, snares, snare guard and the strainer mechanism.

Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru
Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - New Member Fans of Old Computers - Commodore 64 - New Member Popular Science - Evolution - New Member United States - Member - New Member

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Illinois, 7 county region (The 'blue dot' that drags the rest of the 'red state' around during presidential elections.)
Posts: 3683
Good Answers: 89
#26
In reply to #15

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 12:55 PM

If the drummer is as 'touchy' as the OP claims, he probably won't mind the extra cost, as long as the snare comes back 'clean and perfect.'

Seriously, though, who's going to SEE any imperfections in the finish aside from the band and the roadies? He's stuck in the back of the stage, with everyone else prancing in front of him.

But I guess we should expect this from 'the guy with no musical talent who hangs out with the band,' as the old joke goes. (Here's another drummer joke: Why do drummers make lousy comediansnosenseoftiming!)

__________________
( The opinions espressed in this post may not reflect the true opinions of the poster, and may not reflect commonly accepted versions of reality. ) (If you are wondering: yes, I DO hope to live to be as old as my jokes.)
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru
Canada - Member - If there is a way to screw someting up, there is someone to do so! Safety - Hazmat - New Member

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Iqaluit, NU. Canada
Posts: 1854
Good Answers: 140
#16

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 10:14 AM

I played a 14" snare drum in both pipe and drum & bugle Canadian military marching bands for many years. Best product we ever used was called "Never Dull". Works great...

__________________
Joe Contractor to Electrical Inspector, "What do you mean you are going to make me follow the code?".
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Associate

Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Good Answers: 1
#17
In reply to #16

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 10:40 AM

Hi North of 60, thank you for contributing. Now I have to ask, is that product still available. I have a friend in BC, Out at Dog Creek who works with bees. I was given a plastic bottle of Noxon by a friend on New York more than a decade ago now and John will not touch it. Lack of trust. I think it is like brasso or silvo metal polish. If your product was available and you recommend it. He would be ok with that. (I think) lol Thank you again. Jan

Register to Reply
Guru
Canada - Member - If there is a way to screw someting up, there is someone to do so! Safety - Hazmat - New Member

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Iqaluit, NU. Canada
Posts: 1854
Good Answers: 140
#20
In reply to #17

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 10:52 AM

Google Image has photos of it in modern packaging. So I would hazard a guess and say the company is still in business.

__________________
Joe Contractor to Electrical Inspector, "What do you mean you are going to make me follow the code?".
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru
Canada - Member - If there is a way to screw someting up, there is someone to do so! Safety - Hazmat - New Member

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Iqaluit, NU. Canada
Posts: 1854
Good Answers: 140
#21
In reply to #17

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 10:55 AM

They have a web page... click here.

__________________
Joe Contractor to Electrical Inspector, "What do you mean you are going to make me follow the code?".
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Sebastopol, California
Posts: 1205
Good Answers: 54
#22
In reply to #16

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 11:04 AM

That stuff works wonders on chrome and brass! But for finished surfaces it might be a bit much.

__________________
Most people are mostly good most of the time.
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru
Canada - Member - If there is a way to screw someting up, there is someone to do so! Safety - Hazmat - New Member

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Iqaluit, NU. Canada
Posts: 1854
Good Answers: 140
#23
In reply to #22

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 11:16 AM

Perhaps... but, OP said it was "black chrome". Black chrome is regular chrome with additives to get the colour. It is not a finish per se.

__________________
Joe Contractor to Electrical Inspector, "What do you mean you are going to make me follow the code?".
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru
Canada - Member - If there is a way to screw someting up, there is someone to do so! Safety - Hazmat - New Member

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Iqaluit, NU. Canada
Posts: 1854
Good Answers: 140
#24
In reply to #23

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 11:37 AM

Correction... black chrome plating is quite different to regular chrome. How? Not sure... but 10 minutes of reading clearly shows me it is not the same as regular chrome plating with additives.

__________________
Joe Contractor to Electrical Inspector, "What do you mean you are going to make me follow the code?".
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
Good Answers: 1817
#25

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 11:43 AM

"BLACK BEAUTY 5X14" [LB416]

One of the primary reasons Ludwig is "The Most Famous Name In Drums" is the legendary Black Beauty Snare Drum. The drum is constructed of a single sheet of brass that is machine drawn and spun into a seamless beaded shell, then nickel-plated with a beautifully exquisite finish. A true American original, the Black Beauty provides a warm, round metallic tone that is often imitated, but never duplicated. However, due to their truly unique and difficult manufacturing process, only a very limited number of Black Beauties is available each year from Ludwig USA.
With a choice of three strainer options (P85 Supra-Phonic, P86 Millennium or P70 Super-Sensitive,) the Black Beauty responds with excellent sensitivity at all volumes. Choose from Imperial or tube lugs, die cast or triple-flanged hoops and a smooth or hand hammered shell. The 80 year tradition of the Ludwig Black Beauty carries on as the ultimate snare drum in the industry. "

http://www.ludwig-drums.com/usasnares_blackbeauty.php

You might, or he might, consider rechroming the shell and other components if the scratches are a problem....it's called black chrome....here is a locator for chrome shops, ask if they do black chrome....

http://www.finishing.com/shops/index.html

Have to agree Simichrome is the best chrome and metal polish...I have used it for 40+ years....

__________________
All living things seek to control their own destiny....this is the purpose of life
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
Good Answers: 1693
#27
In reply to #25

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 1:25 PM

To add to your post, this explains a little about the plating.

Nickel electroplating - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Associate

Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Good Answers: 1
#30
In reply to #27

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 6:52 PM

Hi, thank you for the Wikipedia link. A wonder of information there. This is a very interesting journey. The drum is ready for to'days practice session. Ray Oliver's Blues Invasion. Thanks again, Jan

Register to Reply
Guru

Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
Good Answers: 1693
#31
In reply to #30

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 7:22 PM

I know about musicians.
My son is a musician. He has a full set-up in his basement. This is only a small part, he has strobe lights and smoke machines. He's an engineer and he's never been married.

Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru
Hobbies - Fishing - Old Salt Hobbies - CNC - New Member United States - US - Statue of Liberty - New Member

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Rosedale, Maryland USA
Posts: 5197
Good Answers: 266
#28

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 4:18 PM

Many black chrome items have a layer of clear coat over them. Gives the color some depth. Some of film or haze could be the polish has scratched the clear coat. It's a metal polish not for a painted surface. The blotches could be places the clear coat has worn thru. Might want to try some auto polish see if it clears the haze. If it does the the only way to correct the areas that the clear coat has worn thru is to clear coat it again.

__________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty, pristine body but rather to come sliding in sideways, all used up and exclaiming, "Wow, what a ride!"
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Guru

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Sebastopol, California
Posts: 1205
Good Answers: 54
#29
In reply to #28

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 4:32 PM

Simicrome will clear that up too. It's why the antique dealers like it so much.

__________________
Most people are mostly good most of the time.
Register to Reply Score 1 for Good Answer
Associate

Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Good Answers: 1
#32
In reply to #28

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/09/2016 10:04 PM

Ozzb, That seems to be what is happening. I was hoping that a product would take away the clear coat that is now looking tatty without damaging the black. Hunter at this stage has accepted that it is patina and is using it at the moment. He put it in for a service some months back, may be last year or earlier. It was gone for nearly a week and he was starting to get anxious after 3 days. Not like that in the violin bis. He settled down once it was home and working again. Lugs needed attention. Just a bit. Thanks for contributing. Every bit of info helps. Jan

Register to Reply
Associate

Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Good Answers: 1
#33

Re: Clean and Polish Black Beauty Snare Drum. Help

05/10/2016 11:18 PM

For everyone who contributed to this discussion, I thank you all. Jan

Register to Reply
Register to Reply 33 comments

"Almost" Good Answers:

Check out these comments that don't yet have enough votes to be "official" good answers and, if you agree with them, vote them!
Copy to Clipboard

Users who posted comments:

adreasler (2); Deefburger (3); dvmdsc (1); Jan Murray (8); lyn (7); North of 60 (5); ozzb (1); SolarEagle (5); Tornado (1)

Previous in Forum: What Is It?   Next in Forum: Is LA on Fire??? What Is This?

Advertisement