Refinishing a beat up chrome over steel shell

[nk126]

I'm considering buying an old Sonor Ferro mag steel shell to build out with some parts I have lying around. Not looking to restore the drum, but rather to make it a fun project.

What options are there for refinishing a shell like this? The chrome is bubbling, and I've read up on how to remove the flaking chrome. But I'm wondering if it's feasible to try something beyond cleaning and polishing?

Can a shell like this be painted?

What about a patina? Anyone have experience patinating steel?

Power coating could be cool, but I'd love to make this as DIY as possible.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[exportdrummer]

sand last chrome have it powder coated

 

[backtodrum]

If it were mine I would strip the chrome and look on Eastwood automotive restoration website and purchase DIY powder coating and bake it in my kitchen oven. It isn't a whole lot more expensive than paint and with just one piece to coat you can do it yourself. There is a new products I've seen that is chrome paint that literally looks like plaiting. I have no experience with that or what it costs. another option is to wrap it with automotive wrap. that is fairly easy to pull off on a metal shell and can be done by you for a decent look. I purchase those kind of materials all the time from a sign shop in my home town. just look how to apply it on Youtube. use a blow dryer and some type of squeegee and razor blade, it is fairly straight forward. Good luck on your project.

 

[Houndog]

I’m anxious to see what you do ……

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

I had a 1969 Ludwig Supra Sensitive I bought that was thrashed but I needed the mechanism for a COB shell. I sold that and was stuck with a very pitted shell. I tried to chip off the chrome but no luck. I tried to grind off with a Dremel - no luck. I decided to sand it as best I could to make it as least sharp as possible. I then bought various nail polishes from the dollar store in a failed attempt to recreate an "oyster" look - aqua, dark metallic blue, white, silver, black - but it turned out awful. I then tried to paint it to match my '69 sky blue pearl kit - once again, a nightmare. I made the mistake of mixing the paint on both of these attempts. In the end, I got a swirly aqua and now it's a light sea foam type color. It plays fine and looks okay, but doesn't match my SBP kit at all.

I should have found a way to spin it and just do the oyster applying one color at a time and just filling in the gaps, but I was rushing and making hasty decisions. I added bow time lugs so it's like a 10 lug Acro freak drum..........