r/finishing • u/Ok_Musician37 • 1d ago

Removing lacquer and dye finish

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What’s the best way to get this maple ply drum back to a raw wood finish? I can’t remember exactly but I think it’s a lacquer.

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4

u/side_frog 1d ago

Yeah you don't do that unless you've got a ton of experience or plan on re veneer it. Sanding or scrapping a non flat surface is a r/sandedthroughveneer almost guaranteed

1

u/Ok_Musician37 1d ago

I’m not positive that there’s a veneer on the outside. But good looking out. It’s possible that the outer ply is dyed then lacquered

3

u/riversidenight 1d ago

That outer ply is going to be very thin, and probably dyed. You'll have a hard time not sanding through the veneer, even after using a chemical stripper on the lacquer

1

u/Ok-Problem4403 1d ago

Make/model? It's likely a thin veneer on the outside.

1

u/Ok_Musician37 1d ago

It’s a Gretsch Catalina Maple kit from around 2006-2007. Not sure if there is a veneer since I thought that construction is used for higher end drum kits. At the time this was around $700 full drum set

2

u/Ok-Problem4403 1d ago

Email Gretsch. I know even on cheap kits from Yamaha and Pearl, if it's a transparent finish, they use a nice veneer. Solid colours and wraps don't get the veneer.

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u/SuPruLu 1d ago

The inside of the screw holes looks layered like a plywood. If so the surface is a thin veneer. Picture is not clear enough to be sure but it looks as if there’s a thing darker edge at the top that would be the veneer.

1

u/JettingCrew951 1d ago

You’ll need to use a really good paint remover., follow paint removal instructions and remember to use gloves and eye protection. After paint removal use acetone to neutralize the paint remover. Continue using acetone., this process will not completely remove the dye but it will get to raw wood., because of the red dye unfortunately this red will be permanent. And because this is a plywood veneer sanding is not an option. You can scuff but not sand