How to Properly polish? clean? my drums

[powerkor]

hello all...

I've been drumming for a long time and really never tried to shine up the shells on my kit. I have a Mapex Saturn Pro natural finish shell kit, but its hard to find out if its lacquer finish or what because it is a gen.1 line and not exactly like how the saturn series looks today.

I've read all kinds of crazy stuff all over the net that says to avoid pledge, even pledge for wood floors because it leaves a film. I've also read to use guitar polish but none of this sounds like it has any merit nor any researched backing of any kind.

Since its natural finish it would be really easy for me to mess it up. Should I just call Mapex? any help would be nice.

Thanks!

[atomcorr2]

i use dish soap and water to clean my drums ,and fender guitar polish to shine them up ,, just dont get them real wet ,,just a damp rag to get the dust off .and an old sock to polish. my drums are 27 years old ,been cleaning them this way forever. hope this helps you ..

[dave0549jv]

i've been using pledge... haha...

[late8]

i've been using pledge... haha...

Me too.

[Northern Redneck]

I use Pledge as well.

[dave0549jv]

Okay good, I feel better now...

[A-Ro]

I use gibson guitar cleaner for my laquer shells.

[pastor_bob]

I use Martin & Co. guitar polish, mainly because that it what my local music store caries.. If it can handle the finish on my guitars, then the finish on the drums will be fine too. It always looks nice when I'm done.

[xpkpremier]

Car wax and Chrome polish

[Tadman]

I use Martin & Co. guitar polish, mainly because that it what my local music store caries.. If it can handle the finish on my guitars, then the finish on the drums will be fine too. It always looks nice when I'm done.

+1 for me.

[itchie]

shells - micro fibre cloth

chrome - baby oil

[DrummerD]

car wax and chrome polish

+1

[xpkpremier]

+1

Thanks DrummerD I thought I was alone there.

[ThePloughman]

I am another Car Wax and Chrome Polish guy. And 100% soft cotton baby diapers.

[areFish]

I use and really like Trick Drum Polish. It's good for the shells and the chrome.

[xpkpremier]

I am another Car Wax and Chrome Polish guy. And 100% soft cotton baby diapers.

Yep, 100% cotton baby diapers,,,,,,,,,,,,

[dave0549jv]

Yep, 100% cotton baby diapers,,,,,,,,,,,,

wait, just so i get it right... unused ones right?

[little_a]

I use and really like Trick Drum Polish. It's good for the shells and the chrome.

i use this as well and really like it...my drums are always soooo shiny and pretty and the black nickel and chrome hardware i have always looks great!

[fumbled time]

For general polishing I use a jewelers cloth on the metals and a lightly damp paper towel to get the dust off the shells and then wipe with a cotton cloth. F/T

[CrossPoint]

Waterless car wash or quick detail spray car wax (dont need much)

[late8]

wait, just so i get it right... unused ones right?

Good one!

[Constinator25]

I use iPod screen cleaners. They get the dust and the fingerprints off, and basically wax them. All in one stroke. No liquids necessary.

[05WideGuy]

I use Harley Glaze for all shells and chrome. IF it's good enough for my Harley it's good enough for my Mapex. I wipe down with a damp microfiber mild detergent and water, then wipe with a clean damp microfiber cloth, dry with dry MF cloth then apply Harley Glaze per the directions.

[Pearl MCX Man]

The only advise I have for cleaning your drums would be to visit the drum (Pearl, Tama, Mapex, Yamaha, Sonor etc) website to see what they recommend for cleanning without destroying the finish on your shells.

[old low&slo]

I used a spray quick car polish from armor all on lacquer drums they came out great. the guy I bought them from used furniture polish on them and they looked horrible all smudgy. but the wax cut right through all that and they look brand new now.

the hoops are stainless so I used blue magic metal polish and they came out like chrome. the stuff is a blue creme and you have to put in alot of elbow grease but it works great.

for chrome polish I used mothers brand chrome polish. its a blue liquid and it works great also
hope this helps