Expert: the Date: 7/12/2008 Subject: dw powder coat durability and care
Question Hello. Mike. Thanks to you for volunteering your time and expertise. I just purchased a DW kit on Ebay. It is GORGEOUS, (tangerine clear over birdseye maple). Hardware is black, and I wonder how durable the DW powder coating is/how it stands up to daily use and rim shots. I know people who hit harder than me, but sometimes, really smacking the drums is what's required. For example, there's a Third Eye Blind song I play ("Jumper") that ends with a loud, cracking rim shot. The drums were made in 2000. Any thoughts on if/how to protect the black powder coating would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you again. Sincerely, Chris
Answer Any powder coat is likely to chip or flake away if it is bumped or banged hard enough---or if you do enough rim shots!!!
You would take care of it just like chrome hardware--a good coat of wax 3 or 4 times a year (I recommend Meguiars)--
you can also wax the finish also.
--BUT--
If those were my drums, I would put a chrome hoop on the top of the snare or---
grind away the powder coat in the area where you do your rim shots.
You can use a Moto-tool or Dremel tool.
That way the powder coat cannot chip or flake if has been ground away. Just make sure to smooth the edges and keep drums from bumping each other.
You have some great drums (I have DW's also).
Take care of them and they will last you a lifetime.
If you want about 15-20% more projection and volume, put 1 or 2 coats of wood sealer on the inside.
It also protects against moisture getting into the wood.
The interiors of DW's are raw wood.
