powdercoating drums

#1 (**permalink**) 06-24-2005, 09:33 PM

I'm looking to maybe powdercoat my drums, you know to give it a more custom look for my band... anyone have any experience with this? I don't want my equipment to be damaged because of this and I don't want to spend a fortune on aesthetics either... looking to powdercoat my steel snare for now

HBdrummer1 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2010, 06:59 PM

Keep in mind when powder-coating, it is thick... If you powder-coat the rims, chances are that you wouldn't be able to fit the lugs through the holes anymore and it may not seat the head properly. If you powder-coat the shell the mounting holes for all the hardware will become smaller, you may have to run a drill through them or scrape the holes. The biggest concern is the bearing edge, you would have to end the powder-coating far enough down from the bearing edge so the head will still seat and tune, so it would have to be masked. Doing the shell and masking the bearing edge far enough down to seat the head and leaving the rims alone would be the safest way if you have your heart set on it. For a steel snare it's doable, but the rest of the kit couldn't be coated that way... it won't take the 300 plus degree heat required. Another option is wrapping them in vinyl (just like car wraps), with the right lamination they are very durable and thin, you can have anything you want printed onto it (one-of-a-kind kit) and you could make your whole kit match, just trim it short for the bearing edges. Not as durable as powder coating but on vehicles they handle car washes, rubbing against tree branches, and can be replaced if severely damaged or removed all together... Just another option if you want custom...

**Tainojim** · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010, 06:30 PM

As far as powder coat goes, I would go to an auto body shop and ask them about this process.

That is if you're a DIY kind of person.

HBdrummer1 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2010, 06:47 PM

Yes, that is true, powder coating is something you can't do at home... requires specialized equipment and controlled baking... should have mentioned that.

S.A.L. · #5 (**permalink**) 12-15-2010, 10:48 PM

You can not powdercoat it if you cannot electrically charge it (wood). The charge temporarily holds the powder to the surface while the oven bakes the powder on.
But you can use a bedliner type paint. Just mask off your edges and put toothpicks in the hardware holes so they don't disappear.

I am about to go the vinyl wrap route.